The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Office of the Ombudsman is an Ombudsman that offers assistance to individuals, family members and friends of individuals in need of mental health services.
It’s purpose is to help you navigate the mental health system Medi-Cal. The Mental Health Ombudsman also mediates between individuals that contact them and Medi-Cal mental health services.
In this OmbuDesk Directory entry you can find all the information about the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Office of the Ombudsman and how to contact them.
Who can ask the Ombudsman for help?
You can contact the Ombudsman if you need Medi-Cal mental health services. Your family members, friends, or caregivers can also contact the Ombudsman on your behalf.
You should first try to resolve the issue with your county mental health department. If your problem is not resolved, you can contact the Ombudsman for help.
What kinds of problems can you report?
You can contact the Ombudsman if you:
- Cannot get the mental health services you need.
- Are having trouble accessing or using Medi-Cal mental health services.
- Do not know where to go for help.
- Have questions about your rights or the services available to you.
- Need help resolving a problem with your county mental health plan.
What does the Ombudsman do?
The Ombudsman can:
- Listen to your concerns.
- Answer your questions.
- Explain rules and procedures.
- Suggest ways to solve your problem.
- Help you find the right office or service.
- Refer you to other organizations that may be able to help.
What doesn’t the Ombudsman do?
The Ombudsman cannot:
- Investigate complaints like a court or regulator.
- Change laws, policies, or rules.
- Make decisions in formal complaints or appeals.
- Decide whether you qualify for Medi-Cal.
How can you contact the Ombudsman?
You can contact the Ombudsman by:
- Phone: (888) 452-8609
- Email: MMCDOmbudsmanOffice@dhcs.ca.gov
The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time, except on holidays.
If you need to share private or confidential information, it is better to call rather than email because email is not a secure way to send sensitive information.