vania-janet/multiturn-rag-retrieval-data huggingface dataset:
Office of the Patient Advocate - State of California


Doctors and Treatment Options
You have the right to choose a doctor you trust and can work with. You can…

Choose a primary care doctor in your plan’s netw​​ork.
Choose an internist, pediatrician, family doctor, or Ob/Gyn as your primary care doctor.
Change your doctor if you are not satisfied with your care. To change your doctor, call your health plan.
See a specialist if you need one.
Get a second opinion about a serious health problem.
Ask questions about your health care.

You have the right to get information about your health care options.

You can ask that your diagnosis and treatment options be explained to you so that you understand it. You can ask for this information to be written down.
When you ask questions about a treatment or medicine, you should get complete answers that you understand.
Do not sign a consent form for treatment if you do not understand it.

You have the right to know if a service is covered by your plan and what it will cost you. You can…

Call your health plan to find out if a test or procedure is covered and if it requires pre-approval.
Ask your health plan to help you clearly understand the services it covers.
Ask your health plan to explain your bills and make sure that the charges are correct.

Medical Records
You have the right to see your medical records or get a copy of your records from your doctor (CA Health and Safety Code sections 123100 – 123149.5).

You must make a written request to your doctor to get a copy of your medical records sent to you.
Your doctor must provide the copies to you in 15 days after receiving your written request.
Your doctor can charge a fee for the copies. They can withhold the copies until the fee is paid.
Learn more about your rights to your medical records on the Medical Board of California website.

HIPAA and Patient Privacy
The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and California law give you rights to:

Ask to see and get a copy of your health records.
Have corrections added to your health information.
Receive a notice that tells you how your health information may be used and shared in the future.
Office of the Patient Advocate - State of California


The State shall have the unlimited right to use for any purpose, free of any charge, all information submitted via this site except those submissions made under separate legal contract. The State shall be free to use, for any purpose, any ideas, concepts, or techniques contained in information provided through this site.

About OPA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Staff
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 




	Strategic Plan 
 
 
 
 
 
 



	News and Media
 
 
 
 
 
 


 Research and Reports
 
 
 
 
 
 

Contact Us
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Health Care Quality
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Health Plan Report Card
 
 
 
 
 


Commercial Medical Group Report Card
 
 
 
 
 


Medicare Medical Group Report Card
 
 
 
 
 

Complaint Data Reports

Other Resources

How to File a Complaint

Know Your Rights

Health Insurance and Public Coverage


 Local Assistance Resources
 
 
 
 
 


 Statewide Assistance Resources
 
 
 
 
 

Back to Top

Accessibility Certification

Conditions of Use

Privacy Policy

Website Help


 Copyright © 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 









 State of California 


OPA is moving! We are pleased to announce that the Office of the Patient Advocate is now part of the new Center for Data Insights and Innovation.

We remain dedicated to providing Californians with data to help them make informed decisions about their health care.

OPA’s products will be available through this website until they are moved to CDII’s website.

Read More
Office of the Patient Advocate - State of California


Information on low-cost health care.
1-888-804-3536

https://healthconsumer.org

HICAP
Free Medicare information and counseling. The toll-free number connects you to the HICAP in your area.
 
1-800-434-0222
 

www.aging.ca.gov/HICAP

Livanta
Assists Medicare members with certain problems and appeals.

1-877-588-1123
TTY 1-855-887-6668

 

https://bfccqioareas5.com

Medical Board of California
Licenses and takes complaints about doctors. Check doctors online.
 
1-800-633-2322

 
www.mbc.ca.gov

Mental Health Association of California
Advocacy and information to help people get mental health services.

916-557-1167

www.mhac.org

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Information and support for families with seriously mentally ill relatives
1-800-950-6264

www.namica.org

Health Care Data and Transparency Sources

Resource
Description
Website

Cal Hospital Compare
Cal Hospital Compare features information on California hospitals that helps consumers make smarter and more informed choices when making medical decisions.
 

calhospitalcomare.org

HealthData.gov
A federal government site dedicated to making high value health data more accessible to entrepreneurs, researchers, and policy makers in the hopes of better health outcomes for all.

healthdata.gov

Find Your Doctor’s Payment
Interactive tool that lets you check the financial relationship of your doctor with pharmaceutical companies.
https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov

California Health Interview Survey
The California Health Interview Survey’s interactive tool allows you to quickly search for health statistics on your zip code, legislative district, city, county, region, and all of California.

http://healthpolicy.ucla.edu/Pages/home

Health Services Research Information Central
Office of the Patient Advocate - State of California


California Hospital Association www.calhospital.org
1-800-494-2001
Find online or request a free Advance Health Care Directive form in English or Spanish.
California Immigrant Welfare Collaborative www.caimmigrant.org
916-448-6762
Information on health care benefits and rights for immigrants.
California Long-Term Care Search www.calqualitycare.org
A guide to nursing homes, home health care, and hospice care.
California Office of Statewide Health Planning & Development (OSHPD) www.oshpd.ca.gov
Information about hospital costs. List of each hospital’s charges for common outpatient procedures (chargemaster).
California Pan-Ethnic Health Network www.cpehn.org
Information and advocacy on health care policy for people from all cultural and linguistic groups.
California Partnership for Long-Term Care www.rureadyca.org
Information about long-term care insurance.
California Registry www.calregistry.com
1-800-777-7575
Information on nursing home, long-term, and hospice care.
CalQualityCare.org www.calqualitycare.org
Resources to help you compare hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Cancer information (National Cancer Institute) www.cancer.gov
1-800-422-6237
Information and research on cancer treatments.
Cancer Legal Resource Center www.disabilityrightslegalcenter.org
1-866-843-2572
Provides free and confidential information and resources on cancer-related legal issues to people with cancer, their families, friends, employers, health care professionals and others coping with cancer.
Center Watch www.centerwatch.com
Information on clinical trials.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  www.cdc.gov
Information on health and safety topics, including immunization guidelines, various diseases and conditions, and workplace safety.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) www.cms.hhs.gov
1-877-267-2323
TTY 1-866-266-1819
Information on Medicare, Medicaid, and HIPAA.
The 2024-25 Budget: Medi-Cal Analysis
While it is Medi‑Cal’s traditional delivery system, over time the state has shifted most beneficiaries out of fee‑for‑service. Around 5 percent of Medi‑Cal’s enrollment, as well as 23 percent of program spending, is projected to be in the fee‑for‑service system in 2024‑25. 
Medi‑Cal Takes Several Approaches to Pay for Services. While fee‑for‑service often is described as a single delivery system, there is not one approach to pay providers. Rather, as Figure 11 shows, payment approaches vary, depending on the service. For example, physician and professional services are paid based on the procedure provided. Medi‑Cal contains thousands of codes for each kind of procedure, with different rates tied to each code. For other services, such as inpatient services at University of California (UC) and county hospitals and long‑term care services, providers are paid based on their reported costs to provide care to patients. Still in other cases, Medi‑Cal uses a prospective payment system, in which payment is provided for an episode of care. As an example, private and district hospitals are paid for each inpatient stay, with the rate depending on the patient’s diagnosis and acuity. The payment generally does not change depending on the patient’s length of stay or utilization of services. Thus, in this system, hospitals bear the risk of costs being higher or lower than expected. 

Figure 11
Several Approaches Exist to Pay Providers
Summary of Key Base Provider Payment Approaches in Medi‑Cal Fee‑for‑Service

Service

How Rates Are Set

How Rates Are Adjusted

Physician and professional services

Set rate for each procedure.

Generally not adjusted.

Hospital outpatient services

Set rate for each procedure.

Generally not adjusted.

Inpatient services at UC and county hospitals

Cost‑based reimbursement.

Adjusted based on changes in cost.

Inpatient services at private and district hospitals

Global payment for each stay, based on patient diagnosis and acuity.

Set to maintain overall spending at around $3.2 billion total funds each year.

Services at federally qualified health centers
Did You Know Your Medicare Health Plan Includes These Perks? - CalPERS PERSpective
You have unlimited access to participating gyms and fitness centers, as well as yoga and dance classes that are led by certified instructors. To learn more or see if you’re eligible, visit SilverSneakers.
Help With Both Surgical and Nonsurgical Options — If you or a family member have questions about treatment options or an upcoming surgery, Anthem’s Welvie helps you explore both surgical and nonsurgical options, make informed decisions about treatment and, if necessary, prepare for surgery and recovery.
Blue Shield of California
Fitness and Social Activities — Take advantage of hundreds of fitness clubs and classes such as yoga, tai chi, Latin dance, in addition to social events and activities — at no cost to you through SilverSneakers programs. To sign up or see if you’re eligible, visit SilverSneakers and create an account. 
Medical Alert Monitoring System — Feel secure and enjoy peace of mind and independence 24/7 with LifeStation’s in-home or mobile device monitoring services, whether at home, running errands, or traveling.
Kaiser Permanente
ClassPass — The popular fitness membership program ClassPass is available at no cost or a discounted rate, depending on the plan you choose. You can access virtual and in-person fitness and exercise classes, including yoga, dance, cardio, boxing, Pilates, and more.
Self-Care Apps — Download Calm, myStrength, and Headspace Care (formerly Ginger) at no cost to support your mental health and emotional well-being. While each app has a different focus and format, they’re designed to help you improve sleep, develop self-care skills, and guide you through meditations provided by world-renowned teachers and thought leaders.
Sharp Health Plan
Wellness Incentive — You can earn a $150 reward by participating in a six-week program that includes completion of online learning activities or telephonic personal health coaching program that focuses on a health issue of your choice.
Discount to Fitness Centers — Access an easy-to-use fitness center network for a low monthly fee through Your Best Health. Benefits also include activity tracking and unlimited digital video workouts.
UnitedHealthcare
The 2024-25 Budget: Medi-Cal Analysis
The tax is structured similarly to the version preceding it, with one key difference—the tax rate on Medi‑Cal enrollment is more than triple that of the previous version. As a result, the new tax is expected to generate $19.4 billion in net fiscal benefit over its term, which is several billion dollars more than past versions. (Our past post, The 2023‑24 California Spending Plan: Health, provides more detail on the enacted MCO tax package.)
New Tax Is to Offset General Fund Spending in Medi‑Cal and Support Health Program Augmentations. As Figure 8 shows, the 2023‑24 budget designated two key uses for the new MCO tax’s net fiscal benefit. The first purpose is to offset General Fund spending in the existing Medi‑Cal program. The second purpose is to support augmentations in Medi‑Cal and other health programs. Funds for this second purpose are deposited into a new special fund called the Medi‑Cal Provider Payment Reserve Fund. Some augmentations were enacted by the Legislature as part of the 2023‑24 budget, comprising a small portion of available funding in the reserve. Last year’s health trailer bill (Chapter 42 of 2023 [AB 118, Committee on Budget]) directed the administration to propose a plan for the remaining funds as part of the 2024‑25 budget process. (We describe the Governor’s proposed augmentations further in the “MCO Tax‑Funded Provider Payment Increases” section that follows.)

Figure 8
There Are Two Key Intended Uses of the MCO Tax
MCO Tax Package Enacted in 2023‑24 Budget (In Millions)

2023‑24

2024‑25

2025‑26

2026‑27

Totals

Net State Fiscal Benefit

Total revenue

$8,269

$8,527

$8,762

$6,704

$32,261

Portion of tax on Medi‑Cal enrollment covered by statea

‑3,860

‑3,415

‑3,507

‑2,077

‑12,860

Totals

$4,410

$5,112
Testing | Senator Scott Wiener
Forward, a network of primary care centers with a clinic in the Financial District, is offering testing for its members.
Sutter and OneMedical are performing tests for their existing patients at sites throughout the Bay Area.
A temporary Field Care Clinic opened in April in a tent adjacent to the Southeast Health Center in Bayview-Hunters Point. It provides primary care, urgent care and screening for COVID-19. The clinic has capacity to treat up to 100 patients daily, with a smaller tent serving as an alternative testing site for potential coronavirus patients.
A free, pop-up testing location at the Cathedral of St. Mary at 1111 Gough St. opened at noon Friday, June 5 for anyone to get swabbed for COVID-19, including those who have gathered in mass demonstrations recently — even if they are showing no symptoms of infection. The city is directing anyone who wants a test at the mobile site to sign up at www.projectbaseline.com/study/covid-19.
CVS drive-through pharmacies are conducting coronavirus diagnostic tests in San Francisco. The site is located at 377 32nd avenue. Tests are self-swab and scheduling will be conducted online. 
Mobile coronavirus testing facilities have been operating at the Latino Task Force Resource Hub in San Francisco’s Mission District and at the Tenderloin Recreation Center at 570 Ellis Street.
San Mateo County/South Bay
Verily/Alphabet is continuing mobile drive-thru testing in SMC and Santa Clara county. Go to projectbaseline.com to get an appointment to be tested. 
NEMS is providing drive-up testing at their Daly City and San Jose clinics. They are limited to NEMS patients, who are symptomatic, by appointment only. The Daly City clinic is at 211 Eastmoor Ave and is running from 3 to 4 PM on weekdays. 
Stanford Medicine has drive-through testing at Hoover Pavillion in Palo Alto from 9-6, seven days per week. Testing is only for patients who have been referred by a physician.
Two new coronavirus testing sites opened in East Palo Alto and Daly City. They will operate on a rotating schedule.
CalCareers

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores. State Air Resources Board reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified. General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required. Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis. Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)


 Print
	

Back to Top
Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Accessibility
Contact Us
Release History

Facebook
twitter
CalCareers

This is a Supplemental Application exam weighted - 100 percent.

In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, a minimum rating of 70% must be attained in each phase of the examination.

Knowledge of: SEE EXAMINATION BULLETIN FOR KNOWLEDGES. Ability of: SEE EXAMINATION BULLETIN FOR SKILLS AND ABILITIES. X

Eligible List Information:The list will be abolished 12 months after it is established unless the needs of the service and conditions of the list warrant a change in this period.

Effective January 1, 2014, in accordance with Government Codes 18973.1 and 18973.5, Veterans’ Preference will be awarded as follows: 1) Any veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran, who achieves a passing score in an entrance examination, shall be ranked in the top rank of the resulting eligibility list. Any veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released is not eligible for Veterans’ Preference. 2) An entrance examination is defined, under the law, as any open competitive examination. And 3) Veterans’ Preference is not granted once a person achieves permanent civil service status. Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans’ Preference are on the Veterans’ Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at http://jobs.ca.gov/Job/VeteransInformation, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

Drug Free Statement:It is an objective of the state of California to achieve a drug-free state work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the state, the rules governing civil service and the special trust placed in public servants. 

EEO:The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
The 2024-25 Budget: Medi-Cal Analysis
This budget solution first impacts General Fund spending in 2023‑24 and ramps up in 2024‑25. The Governor also proposes several other budget solutions in Medi‑Cal, most of which are one time and impact spending in 2024‑25.

Figure 4
Governor’s Budget Includes Several Budget Solutions in Medi‑Cal
General Fund Solutions (In Millions)

2023‑24

2024‑25

MCO Tax Budget Solutiona

Shift in funds from provider payment reserve

$625

$2,081

Increase in size of the tax

395

698

Totals

$1,020

$2,779

Other Budget Solutions

Withdrawal of end of checkwrite hold

—

$533

Delay in behavioral health initiatives

—

375

Medi‑Cal Drug Rebate Fund reserve sweep

$135

28

Reduction in supplemental physician payments

—

77

Reversion of clinic workforce stabilization payments

15

—

Totals

$150

$1,013

Grand Totals

$1,170

$3,792

aIn addition to amounts in this table, this budget solution also impacts General Fund spending in 2025‑26 and 2026‑27. The total impact from 2023‑24 through 2026‑27 is $4.6 billion.

MCO = managed care organization.

Caseload
In this section, we assess the administration’s estimates of Medi‑Cal caseload. We first provide context on (1) the federal continuous coverage requirement that lead to a substantial increase in caseload since the beginning of the pandemic and (2) the state’s strategy to limit the impact of the unwinding of that requirement on Medi‑Cal enrollees. We then assess the Governor’s budget estimates of caseload, which are considerably higher than previous projections produced by our office and the administration, and are consistent with continuous coverage unwinding apparently having a smaller impact on caseload than was previously assumed to be the case.