The California Department of Managed Care provides information on HIPAA and conversion plans.

The Georgetown University Health Policy Institute publishes a Consumer's Guide to Getting and Keeping Health Insurance in California, which helps consumers understand health care protections provided under federal and state law, including HIPAA.

The following links provide more detailed information on HIPAA & California protections:

U.S. Code: Title 29, Chapter 18, Subchapter I, Subtitle B, part 7, Subpart A addresses requirements relating to portability, access and reliability of health care.

The California laws governing health coverage protections are found in the Health and Safety Code, Sections 1357-1357.17 and 1357.50-1357.54; and Insurance Code 10700-10718.7.

Insurance Markets: Rules Governing California’s Individual Insurance Market is a California Health Care Foundation Issues Brief on group and individual coverage. It includes information on HIPAA and related topics.

The California Patient’s Guide Chapter V: Your Rights to Coverage of Pre-existing Conditions examines California and federal law on pre-existing conditions.

The California Department of Insurance publishes a Consumer's Guide to Health Insurance.

The Georgetown University Health Policy Institute publishes A Consumer's Guide to Getting and Keeping Health Insurance in California. They also have guides for other states.

The Health Consumer Alliance (HCA) helps low-income people obtain essential health care. HCA's two main priorities are (1) helping consumers establish or maintain health coverage; and (2) ensuring that low-income consumers with health coverage get good access to essential services, including managed care. Consumer Health Centers can be found in Alameda, El Dorado, Fresno, Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Placer, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Mateo, and Yolo counties.

HealthCareCoach.com provides facts and do-it-yourself tips on everything from health insurance to patient care. HealthCareCoach includes topics on women's health, family health, health care costs, and changing health plans.

The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) is a national public interest law firm that seeks to improve health care for America's working and unemployed poor, minorities, elderly, and people with disabilities. NHeLP serves community-based organizations, legal services programs, the private bar, providers, and individuals who work to preserve a health care safety net for the millions of uninsured or underinsured low-income people. NHeLP has expertise in managed care, Medicaid, Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Program (EPSDT), safety net programs, consumer protections, and health care rights.

Consumer Coalition for Quality Healthcare provides news and information on State and Federal campaigns, projects for quality improvement, and consumer protection in health care.

Disability Rights Advocates provides a section on the Health Access Project on their website. This website provides an overview of accessible healthcare rights. A handbook titled Through the Maze: A Guide to Health Care and Insurance Rights for People with Disabilities is available to download in English and Spanish.

Families USA is a consumer focused website on health care, Medicaid, Medicare, prescription drugs and health policy analysis.

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has a page for helping employers decide among health plans.

U. C. Berkeley's Center for Health and Public Policy provides surveys and research about health care insurance.

The Center for Health Care Strategies works with states, health plans and consumer groups, and provides some funding to promote high quality health care services for low-income populations and people with chronic illnesses and disabilities.

To find a benefits planner near you, use DB101's Benefits Planners Directory.

Goodwill Industries services range from personal evaluation and office skills training to career counseling, childcare, and transportation. Some of these centers conduct Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach for Social Security and Medicare beneficiaries related to work activity.

Find locations at http://www.goodwill.org, or by calling (voice) 1-800-664-6577.

The California Foundation for Independent Living Centers lists 29 centers serving individuals with all disabilities. Many of these centers conduct Benefits Planning Assistance and Outreach for Social Security and Medicare beneficiaries related to work activity. Most independent living centers can refer callers to local benefit program information if they do not have these services.

Find the list of independent living centers at http://www.cfilc.org, or by calling (voice) 916-325-1690 or (TTY) 916-325-1695.

The AIDS Hotline database contains 1,300 organizations providing HIV/AIDS services throughout California. Some of these organizations offer case management, benefits planning, and benefits counseling services that can include assistance with public and private benefits programs.

Find the list of AIDS organizations at http://www.aidshotline.org, or by calling (voice) 1-800-367-AIDS (2437) or (TTY) 1-888-225-AIDS (2437).

Disability Rights California provides representation for consumers of public programs who are disabled. Website publications include topics on health care, benefit programs, and In Home Supportive Services.