CA SB492

Requires the State Department of Health Care Services to develop and post an educational guide on its website by July 1, 2016 to help consumers understand their rights under the Coordinated Care Initiative (CCI), which serves individuals eligible for both Medicare and Medi-Cal

Guide must include information on determining provider participation, filing grievances and appeals, changing health plans, switching from Cal MediConnect to original Medicare, obtaining assistance in alternative languages, and toll-free numbers for ombudsperson programs and support services

Requires separate or tailored information for dual eligible individuals (those eligible for both Medicare and Medi-Cal) and seniors/persons with disabilities receiving long-term services through Medi-Cal managed care

Department must distribute the guide to senior and consumer advocacy groups, ombudspersons, health consumer centers, and health insurance counseling programs, with copies available upon request to other interested persons

Requires the guide to be written in plain language, available in all Medi-Cal threshold languages, culturally competent, and updated annually or as necessary to reflect CCI changes