Healthcare
Fostering health for children and teens in foster care
Too often, caregivers encounter obstacles in obtaining medical, dental, and mental health services for children in foster care, and young adults transitioning from foster care to independence experience problems with continuous medical coverage.
The Alliance assists clients with accessing medical services. We also conduct trainings throughout Los Angeles County for medical providers, the courts and public and private agencies about foster care and related healthcare and legal issues.
"Our adopted son Jake has a very rare genetic disorder. I was so used to trying to break through red tape on my own, I couldn’t believe that there was someone to help! The Alliance helped us attain a court order for a critical surgery and saved his life. I am forever grateful."
- ANDREA M.
How We Can Help
To protect access to vital medical, dental, and mental health (including non-traditional modalities) resources and care for vulnerable young people, the Alliance steps in to:
- Ensure continuous Medi-Cal coverage for those in foster care
- Help current or former foster youth maintain health insurance coverage
- Obtain specialized care for those with disabilities or developmental delays
- Helping youth and caregivers access providers
- Challenges Medi-Cal denials for those in former and current foster care
- Linkage to Enhanced Care Management and/or Community Supports through the managed care plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although every child who does not reside with a parent should have active Medi-Cal,
there are times when coverage is incorrectly terminated. If you have been told Medi-Cal
is not active, please contact the Alliance for Children’s Rights.
If your case closed at age 18 or older, contact the Department of Public Social
Services’ (DPSS) Former Foster Youth Program at (626)-312-6131. If your case closed
before age 18, contact your DPSS Medi-Cal eligibility worker or the Alliance.
If Medi-Cal denies treatment, services, medication, and/or medical equipment, please
contact our office as soon as possible. You are entitled to an appeal within 90 days.
Please see the caregiver’s affidavit, or the third-party consent information provided on this website. Or please contact the Alliance for Children’s Rights.
Contact the provider who sent you the bill, give them the child’s Medi-Cal information,
and ask the provider to submit or resubmit the claim to Medi-Cal. If this does not resolve
the issue, contact the child’s social worker and/or the Alliance.
Gather your receipts and contact the child’s social worker to request reimbursement. If this does not resolve the issue, contact the Alliance.
If you were told your Medi-Cal is not working, see question 1, and request that your
Medi-Cal be reinstated back to the date of service if your bill is less than one year old. If
this does not resolve the issue, contact the Alliance.
Call your social worker and explain the problem you are having. If that does not
resolve the issue, contact the Alliance.
Call Health Care Options (HCO) at 1-800-430-4263, a representative is available between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Call Health Care Options (HCO) at 1-800-430-4263 1-800-430-4263, a representative
is available between 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Training for Providers
The Alliance conducts free professional trainings throughout Los Angeles County for medical providers, the courts, and public and private agencies about foster care and related healthcare and legal issues. To schedule a training, contact us.
The Alliance is Here.
If you are a caregiver, youth, former foster youth or medical provider seeking assistance, you may fill out Online Intake Form.
