About the Department of Health Care Services
Welcome to the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). DHCS is the backbone of California’s health care safety net, helping millions of Californians every day.
The mission of DHCS is to provide Californians with access to affordable, integrated, high-quality health care, including medical, dental, mental health, substance use disorder treatment and long-term care. Our purpose is to provide equitable access to quality health care, leading to a healthy California for all.
DHCS funds health care services for about 15 million Medi-Cal members. About one-third of Californians receive health care services financed or organized by DHCS, making the Department the largest health care purchaser in California. Our success is made possible only through collaboration with the federal government and other state agencies, counties, and partners as we invest nearly $150 billion annually for the care of low-income families, children, pregnant women, seniors, and persons with disabilities.
Among the programs administered by DHCS, some of which are mandated by the federal government and others required by state law, are California Children’s Services; Child Health and Disability Prevention program; Genetically Handicapped Persons Program; Newborn Hearing Screening Program; Family Planning, Access, Care, and Treatment program; Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly; Every Woman Counts; and Coordinated Care Management. DHCS also administers programs for underserved Californians, including farmworkers and American Indian communities.
DHCS is constantly seeking to improve its services. For example, to improve access to services and ensure we spend tax dollars efficiently, more than 99 percent of our members receive care from a Medi-Cal managed care plan. Under these models, access to health care is easier and the quality of care is improved.
DHCS is a dynamic Department with ambitious goals and talented, committed employees. We work hard every day to fulfill our vital responsibility to support the delivery of quality health care to Californians. Going forward, we will continue to use our state’s tax dollars as effectively as possible while finding opportunities to improve Californians’ health and the health care delivery system of our Golden State.
DHCS Major Program Initiatives - Go-Live Dates
From California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) to transforming the state’s behavioral health programs, the Department’s initiatives preserve and improve the overall health and well-being of all Californians. The links below reflect our major program initiatives and anticipated go-live dates, pending readiness and federal approvals. This information will be updated as necessary.
