Resources - for health care consumers

A number of federal and state agencies offer assistance and resources to assist health care consumers. You may also want to search the Web for additional resources from nonprofit organizations and your health care provider.

Medicare. Contact for information about Medicare programs, billing, appeals, plan choices, provider information, online forms, privacy practices, and more.

1-800-MEDICARE

Senior LinkAge Line. Offers one-on-one counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families. Learn about available health care coverage options, support services and resources in your area.

1-800-333-2433

Consumer Response Team—Minnesota Department of Commerce. Contact if you lose your Medicare supplemental coverage and you have questions about your rights.

1-800-657-3602

Medical Assistance—Minnesota Department of Human Services. Provides eligibility and benefit information on Minnesota’s three publicly funded basic health care programs: Medical Assistance (MA)—Minnesota’s Medicaid program, General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) and MinnesotaCare.

1-800-657-3739

Minnesota Board on Aging A gateway to services for Minnesota seniors and their families. Regional ombudsmen and volunteers, work with consumers, citizens, nursing homes, hospitals, home care and social service agencies, and public agencies to enhance the quality of life and services for individuals receiving health care and supportive services at home, in hospitals, in nursing homes and boarding care homes, and in other community settings such as housing with services (assisted living, customized living), adult foster care and adult daycare centers.

1-800-657-3591

Minnesota Health Information Clearinghouse—Minnesota Department of Health. Offers information on a wide variety of topics including advance directives, complaints, health care coverage, clinics and hospitals, medical records, Medicare, patient bill of rights, prescription drugs and statistical information.

1-800-657-3793

Minnesota Office of the Ombudsman for Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities. Assists with concerns or complaints about services, questions about rights, grievances, access to appropriate services, ideas for making services better, and general questions or needs for information concerning services for persons with mental disabilities.

1-800-657-3506

Minnesota Relay. Provides access for people with hearing loss or a speech disability to communicate over the telephone. You may dial 7-1-1 from anywhere in the country and be connected to the relay service in the state you are calling from. Once connected to the relay service, inform the operator of the type of relay call you wish to make (i.e. TTY, HCO, VCO, STS, Spanish, etc.).

711

Office of Health Facilities Complaints—Minnesota Department of Health. This Minnesota Department of Health office can help answer questions or concerns related to a licensed hospital, nursing home, boarding care home, supervised living facility, assisted living facility, or home health agency.

1-800-369-7994

Office of Inspector General Hotline—US Department of Health and Human Services, Contact if you suspect fraudulent behavior related to the care you receive. Your information will be kept confidential and you may remain anonymous.

1-800-447-8447

Office of Ombudsman for State Managed Care Plans —Minnesota Department of Human Services. Helps people enrolled in health plans with questions or concerns related to access, service and billing. The office provides information about the managed care grievance and appeals process that is available through the health plan and the state.

1-800-657-3729

Office of the Minnesota Attorney General. Information on consumers’ legal rights and how to navigate the legal system should you experience problems with your health care.

1-800-366-4812

US Social Security Administration. Information about whether you qualify for Social Security benefits, how to apply for benefits, forms, and other information.

1-800-772-1213

Veteran Health Administration—Department of Veteran Affairs. Information on eligibility for benefits, copays and charges, health care programs, prescription drug information and other information.

1-800-827-1000