Q: How do I file a complaint against my health plan?
A: Two steps. Step 1: file a grievance with your plan — phone or member portal; the word "grievance" triggers a formal process with a 30-day response deadline. Step 2: if unresolved after 30 days (or immediately for urgent issues), contact the DMHC Help Center: 1-888-466-2219 or healthhelp.ca.gov. It's free, no lawyer needed, and the DMHC can order the plan to act, including through Independent Medical Review for denials of care.
Worked example: no therapy appointment offered for 6 weeks → grievance filed June 1 → no fix by July 1 → DMHC case opened → plan produces an appointment. Access complaints are among the most commonly resolved.
Do this: keep a dated log of every call — names, dates, what was offered. The log is the complaint.
Source: DMHC Help Center — dmhc.ca.gov.