April, 2005
My Grandfather passed away recently from prostrate cancer. I had no idea how complicated the world of medical care for seniors could be until he came to live with us. It's as if you have to speak an entirely different language just to understand the most basic information and processes.
Since that time, I've learned about the availability of California's HMO Guide for Seniors produced by the University of California at Berkeley in collaboration with the California Office of the Patient Advocate (OPA). The OPA is an independent office of our state government charged with informing and educating individuals about their rights and responsibilities as HMO enrollees. In 2003, it published the original California HMO Guide with information for all HMO enrollees.
Then the OPA produced the HMO Guide for Seniors as a part of their continuing efforts to meet the needs of our aging population whose incidence of disability continues to grow. It provides seniors with useful information on topics such as how to choose an HMO, how to join or leave an HMO, how to pay for health care, etc. It defines the jargon used by the managed care system, in order to help individuals communicate with their providers more effectively. Unlike most of the information we receive from our managed care providers, this guide is written in a manner that is clear and concise.
The guides are available for free and provide the contact information for a variety of organizations that can help you learn about health care and your HMO. To order your copy of California's HMO Guide for Seniors or the original California's HMO Guide in English or Spanish, or for information on alternative formats call 1-866-466-8900 or log on to www.opa.ca.gov.
For more information on services provided by the Office of the Patient Advocate, please contact Esmeralda Muņoz at Central Coast Center for Independent Living (831) 757-2968 ext. 828 or emunoz@cccil.org