The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is the backbone of California’s health care safety net, helping millions of Californians every day. DHCS’ purpose is to provide equitable access to quality health care, leading to a healthy California for all.
To fulfill this purpose, DHCS has established the following, high-level goals:- Be person centered – Put people first and design programs and services for whole person care in the community;
- Increase meaningful access – Ensure individuals get care when, where, and how they need it by strengthening health care coverage, benefits, and provider and service capacity;
- Achieve excellence in health outcomes – Improve quality outcomes, reduce health disparities, and transform the delivery system;
- Be an employer of choice – Attract, develop, and retain a diverse and talented team that is empowered and impactful;
- Strengthen operations – Enhance our organizational structures, processes, and systems to improve program administration; and
- Leverage data to improve outcomes – Drive better decisions and results with meaningful information.
DHCS is the single state agency responsible for financing and administering the state's Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, which provides health care services to low-income persons and families who meet defined eligibility requirements. Medi-Cal is authorized and funded through a federal-state partnership. Medi-Cal programs cover physical health, mental health, substance use disorder, services, pharmacy, dental, and long-term services and supports.
As of June 2024, Medi-Cal serves about 14.8 million Californians. 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 $166 billion annually for the care of low-income families, children, pregnant women, seniors, and persons with disabilities.
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.
