Personal Injury

The Personal Injury (PI) Unit is responsible for the identification, negotiation, and recovery of Medi-Cal expenditures in personal injury actions involving Medi-Cal beneficiaries.  Typical personal injury actions may include those involving, but are not limited to, auto accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, product liability, premises liability, risk management, catastrophic illness/injury, class actions and other tort liability actions.  Written notification to the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is required within 30 days of filing an action or claim against a third person or carrier.

A referral can be made by using the following Medi-Cal Lien Referral form and mailing it to the address below.  Medi-Cal Lien Referral Form

PI also approves and oversees Special Needs Trusts (SNT).  A proposed SNT must be mailed to DHCS at least 15 days before a hearing to enable PI to evaluate the SNT and raise its concerns.

An informational brochure that offers a concise overview of the objectives and policies of Personal Injury can be seen by clicking on the following:

Personal Injury Information Pamphlet (1-08).pdf

Statutory Authority:

California Welfare and Institutions (WI) Code Sections 14124.70 -14124.795

California Probate Code (CPC) Sections 3600 - 3612

Any questions about PI should be directed to:

Department of Health Care Services
Third Party Liability & Recovery Division
Overpayments & Injury Section - MS 4720
P.O. Box 997425
Sacramento, CA  95899-7425

Telephone (916) 650-0490
Facsimile (916) 650-6581