About the Department of Health Care Services

 The mission of the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is to provide Californians with access to affordable, high-quality health care, including medical, dental, mental health, substance use disorder services, and long-term services and supports.  DHCS’ vision is to preserve and improve the physical and mental health of all Californians.  DHCS works closely with federal officials, health care professionals, legislators, county governments, and health plans to provide an accessible health care safety net for individuals in need.

DHCS programs serve about 12 million Californians.  About 30 percent of Californians recieve health care services financed or organized by DHCS, making the department the largest health care purchaser in California. DHCS invests more than $90 billion in public funds to provide health care services for low-income families, children, pregnant women, seniors, and persons with disabilities, while helping to maintain the health care delivery safety net.