Grievances and Appeals

Our grievance and appeal processes provide our members a way to resolve a concern with their medical care or services. Should you have a complaint related to your medical care or services provided, or wish to appeal an authorization denial, please contact your health plan directly.

SeaView IPA will work closely with your health plan to investigate the issue and work towards a satisfactory solution.

The following is an overview of the options available to you. You may also contact our Member Services team directly at (805) 988-5188.

Member Grievance Forms

Aetna

• Aetna Appeal & Grievance Form - English
• Aetna Medicare Appeal Grievance Form

Anthem BlueCross

• Anthem Blue Cross Appeal & Grievance Form - English
• Anthem Blue Cross Appeal & Grievance Form - Spanish
• Anthem Grievance Reference Guide 072809
• Member Grievance Form - English
• Member Grievance Form - Spanish
• Complaints, Grievance, and Appeals for California Members

Blue Shield

• Blue Shield Appeal & Grievance Form - English
• Blue Shield Medicare Appeal & Grievance Form

Cigna

• Cigna Appeal Request Form
• Cigna Member Grievance Form

UnitedHealthCare

• 3720 Grievance Form_Chinese_071309
• 3720 Grievance Form_English_071309
• 3720 Grievance Form_Spanish_071309

Commercial

• ICE_Comm-Medi-Cal_Grievance_Form_Revised_6 2 11

Medicare Advantage

• CA MA Plan Appeal & Grievance Form

Humana

• Humana Appeal, Complaint, or Grievance Form
  
• Humana Appeal, Complaint, or Grievance Form - Spanish

Health Plan Quality Complaint "Grievance"

You, or a representative appointed by you on your behalf, may file a written quality complaint with your health plan. The health plan refers to this process as a "grievance". The grievance process allows the member to file a complaint with the health plan about issues other than a denied service. This process is separate from the appeal process described in the "Member's Rights to Appeal a Denied Service & Appeal Process" section below. Please refer to your health plan member materials for more detailed instructions on how to file a complaint/grievance.

Peer Review Organization Complaint Process

If you are concerned about the quality of care you have received, you, or a representative appointed by you to act on your behalf, may also file a complaint with the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) at 1-888-466-2219. Peer Review Organizations are groups of doctors and health professionals that monitor the quality of care provided. The Peer Review Organization review process is designed to help stop any improper practices.

Member's Rights to Appeal a Denied Service & Appeal Process

If you believe that the resulting determination is not correct, you, or a representative appointed by you to act on your behalf, has the right to appeal through your health plan. Your health plan requests that you submit your appeal within 60 days of your medical group's/IPA's final determination. Your request may be verbal or in writing. There are two methods of appeals: Standard or Expedited.

Standard Appeal Process

A standard appeal will be processed within 30 working days. Please submit a copy of your denial notice and a brief explanation to the address indicated by your health plan coverage card, or call your health plan's Customer Service department who will document and research your request.

Expedited 72-Hour Appeal Process

Your health plan makes every effort to process your appeal as quickly as possible. In some cases, you have the right to an expedited appeal when a delay in the decision might pose an imminent and serious threat to your health including, but not limited to, possible life, limb, or major bodily function. If you request an expedited appeal, your health plan's health services department will evaluate your request and medical condition to determine if your appeal qualifies as expedited, which will be processed within 72-hours. If not, your appeal will be processed within the 30 standard days.

You or your practitioner may file a verbal or written request for an expedited appeal. You should specifically state that you are requesting an expedited appeal because you believe your health might be seriously jeopardized by waiting for the standard appeal process.

Your health plan will make a decision on your expedited appeal and will notify you of the decision within 72-hours after the review commences. You will receive written confirmation of the decision within two working days. If your health plan's decision is not in your favor, and you disagree with the decision, you may request an expedited review by the Appeals and Grievance Committee. A hearing before the Appeals and Grievance Committee will be scheduled within 10 working days. You must contact your Health Plan to arrange the hearing to review your case.

Department of Managed Health Care

In addition to the complaint processes described above, you may also contact the California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC). The DMHC is responsible for regulating health care service plans. The DMHC's Health Plan Division has a toll free telephone number-1-800-400-0815-to receive complaints regarding health plans. The hearing and speech impaired may use the California Relay Service's toll-free numbers-800-735-2929 (TTY) or 1-888-877-5378 (TTY)-to contact the department. Complaint forms and instructions can be accessed online at DHMC .

If you need help with a grievance involving an emergency, a grievance that has not been satisfactorily resolved by your health plan, or a grievance that has remained unresolved for more than 60 days, you may call the DMHC's Health Plan Division for assistance. It's important to note, however, that if you have a grievance against your health plan, you should first telephone your health plan and use their grievance process before contacting the DMHC.