Nathanson Family Resource Center
 

FAQ > INSURANCE

I am worried that my loved one may need to be admitted to the hospital again at some point in the future. Can I bring him or her to any ER hospit al, or do I have to get permission from the insurance first?

You may bring your loved one to any ER hospital without prior permission from your insurance. Onc e at the ER, and your loved has been stabilized with the appropriate treatment, all insurance issues will be dealt with.

My loved one's expenses are not being fully covered by our insurance company, and they have rejected some of our claims. Is there an organization that I can go to where I can learn about our rights as healthcare consumers, and how to pursue legal action if necessary?

Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (PAI) is a nonprofit agency in California that advances the human and legal rights of people with disabilities. PAI, which was founded in 1978, provides services to people with disabilities under both federal and state run programs. PAI is also under a contract with California's Department of Mental Health to operate the Office of Patients' Rights (OPR) which advocates for the rights of people who have psychiatric disability or emotional impairment. PAI's roles include representation of people with disabilities in administrative and judicial proceedings, bringing litigation when a case affects the rights of people with disabilities, educating people about their rights, and providing support and training for people with disabilities. You can contact PAI at (800)776-5747, or at their Los Angeles office at (800)781-4546. Their website is www.pai-ca.org. Other organizations that you can contact are:

Center for Health Care Rights: http://www.healthcarerights.org / 1-800-824-0780
Law Help California: http://www.lawhelpcalifornia.org/CA/index.cfm
Western Law Center for Disability Rights: www.wlcdr.org (213)736-1031

I am confused by the bills from my loved one's stay in the hospital. Who can I talk to at UCLA about this matter?

You can contact the billing department at UCLA at (310)825-8021. In addition, there is Frequently Asked Questions Section concerning billing questions at UCLA's website, www.uclahealth.org. Click on the FAQ section in the upper right hand corner of the page.

My loved one is financially struggling and doesn't have insurance - where can he or she be treated?

Your loved one can be treated at any Community Mental Health Center. Typically, fees are determined on a sliding scale based on personal income and medical expenses. Referrals to community mental health centers can be attained from any of the organizations mentioned in the first question (How do I find treatment for my loved one suffering from a mental illness?) If your loved one does not have insurance, he or she may be eligible for Medi-Cal. Contact the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services at (877)597-4777 for more information. Below is a list of local organizations in Los Angeles. ยท


 
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