California Department of Managed Health Care - Office of the Patient Advocate

The Office of the Patient Advocate (OPA) exists to inform and educate consumers about their rights and responsibilities as health plan enrollees and to teach them how to make best use of the services offered by their health plans.  It is an independent state office established in July 2000 in conjunction with the Department of Managed Health Care.  It was created to represent the interests of health plan members to get the care they deserve and to promote transparency and quality health care by publishing an annual Quality of Care Report Card.

The OPA has three primary functions:

• Consumer Education: Create and distribute educational materials, and perform and coordinate public outreach throughout California
• Public Reporting: Develop an annual Quality of Care Report Card including but not limited to health care service plans.
• Collaboration: Work with government and nongovernment patient assistance programs; make referrals and recommendations to the Department of Managed Health Care.