DHCS' purpose is to provide equitable access to quality health care, leading to a healthy California for all.
This webpage was created to provide meaningful access to information, programs, benefits, and services to people with limited English proficiency and ensure language is not a barrier to accessing vital health services.
Certified bilingual staff are available to assist members and others, and DHCS works with vendors to provide free translation and interpreter services to communicate effectively with DHCS.
myMedi-Cal
The
“myMedi-Cal: How To Get the Health Care You Need" webpage informs Californians how to apply for Medi-Cal for no-cost or low-cost health coverage. You will also learn about program eligibility requirements. This guide advises how you can use your Medi-Cal benefits and when to report changes to your personal information. You should keep this guide handy and use it when you have questions about the following:
- How to Apply for Coverage
- Medi-Cal Covered Benefits
- Updating and Renewing Medi-Cal
- Rights and Responsibilities
- Information on DHCS programs and services, such as: Dental Services; Substance Use Disorder Services; Specialty Mental Health Services; Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment; Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program; In-Home Supportive Services Program; Community-Based Services; California Children's Services; Genetically Handicapped Person's Program; and Hearing Aid Coverage for Children Program.
Important Phone Numbers
- Medi-Cal Members:
(800) 541-5555 (TTY: 711, CA State Relay)
-
Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Care Options:
(800) 430-4263 (TTY (800) 430-7077)
-
Medi-Cal Dental:
(800) 322-6384 (TTY (800) 735-2922)
-
Medi-Cal Providers:
(800) 541-5555 (TTY: 711, CA State Relay)
-
Medi-Cal Managed Care and Mental Health Office of the Ombudsman:
(888) 452-8609 (TTY: 711, CA State Relay)
-
State Hearing:
(800) 743-8525 (TTY (800) 952-8349)
-
Covered California:
(800) 300-1506 (TTY: 711, CA State Relay)
Find Your County Office
For help with Medi-Cal, health coverage, and other benefits, contact your County Office:
Medi-Cal County Offices
Ombudsman Office
The Medi-Cal Managed Care and Mental Health Office of the Ombudsman helps solve problems from a neutral standpoint to ensure members receive all medically necessary health and behavioral health covered services for which plans are contractually responsible.
The Ombudsman Office does not automatically take sides in a complaint. It will consider all sides in an impartial and objective way. The Ombudsman Office helps develop fair solutions to health care access problems.
Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST; excluding state holidays
Ombudsman Office:
(888) 452-8609 (TTY: 711, CA State Relay)MMCDOmbudsmanOffice@dhcs.ca.gov
Telephone Service Center (TSC)
The TSC can help with general information about Medi-Cal and answer questions regarding Medi-Cal bills.
- Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST; excluding holidays
- Medi-Cal Members:
(800) 541-5555 (TTY: 711, CA State Relay)
- Medi-Cal Providers:
(800) 541-5555 (TTY: 711, CA State Relay)
Medi-Cal Rx Customer Service Center
The Medi-Cal Rx Service Center can help with:
- Questions concerning your pharmacy benefits
- Finding a nearby pharmacy or mail-order pharmacy
- Filing a complaint
It is helpful to have the following information available before you call us so we can get you to the right person faster:
- The Medi-Cal Member's first and last name; and
- The Medi-Cal Member's beneficiary ID card number; or
- The Member's date of birth
Hours of Operation: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
Medi-Cal Rx Customer Service Center:
(800) 977-2273 (TTY: 711, CA State Relay)
Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Care Options
The role of Medi-Cal Managed Care Health Care Options (HCO), part of DHCS, is to ensure access to health care through an enrollment broker contractor. The contractor gives information to Medi-Cal members about managed care plans. This helps members make informed decisions about their Medi-Cal benefits. The plans may include medical and dental care services.
Medi-Cal Managed Care:
(800) 430-4263 (TTY (800) 430-7077)
Dental Services
Medi-Cal covers a variety of dental services for Medi-Cal members, including:
- Diagnostic and preventive dental hygiene (e.g., examinations, x-rays, and teeth cleanings)
- Emergency services for pain control
- Tooth extractions
- Fillings
- Root canal treatments (anterior/posterior)
- Crowns (prefabricated/laboratory)
- Scaling and root planing
- Periodontal maintenance
- Complete and partial dentures
- Orthodontics for children who qualify
Members can access dental services through Medi-Cal Dental enrolled providers, who will advise members on the best course of treatment, and under the specific conditions for which some of these services are allowable.
Member Customer Service Phone Line:
(800) 322-6384 (TTY (800) 735-2922)Provider Customer Service Phone Line:
(800) 423-0507For General Information, please contact:
Dental@dhcs.ca.govFor Dental Managed Care Plans, please see contacts
here.
Specialty Mental Health Services
The Mental Health Plan (MHP) in each county is responsible for providing or arranging for the provision of Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) to Medi-Cal members in their county.
If you, or someone you know, is in need of SMHS, please contact your
county MHP.
A member handbook is available from your county MHP and includes information on the following topics and more:
- Available Services
- How to get SMHS
- Selecting a Provider
- Problem Resolution Processes
- Advanced Directives; and
- Member Rights and Responsibilities
Substance Use Disorder Services
If you, or someone you know, is in need of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services or needs more information please contact your county using the
SUD County Access Line.
For residents of counties that participate in the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS), a member handbook is available from the county and includes information on the following topics and more:
- Available Services
- Accessing DMC-ODS Services
- Selecting a Provider
- Problem Resolution Processes
- Advanced Directives; and
- Member Rights and Responsibilities
Members seeking SUD treatment services in California may also use the automated non-emergency substance use disorder (SUD) treatment referral line:
- Statewide Toll Free:
(800) 879-2772
- Outside California:
(916) 327-3728
