​​​​​​​​​​Class Action Recovery Program

About Us 

The Department of Health Care Services’ (DHCS) Class Action Recovery Program seeks reimbursement for services that Medi-Cal paid for on behalf of its beneficiaries who are involved in third party actions, such as product liability, vaccine/ medication-related injuries, and exposure to asbestos/ other environmental toxins. When a Medi-Cal beneficiary receives a class action or mass tort settlement, judgment, or award from a liable third party, as compensation for injuries they incurred, the Class Action Recovery Program is required by federal and state law to recover funds for any related services paid for by Medi-Cal.

For claims involving personal injury, medical malpractice, or workers’ compensation, use the links below to be directed to the appropriate recovery unit’s website.

Lien Process

The Medi-Cal beneficiary(s) or representative on behalf of the beneficiary(s) is required, by law, to report an action or claim in writing to DHCS, pursuant to Welfare and Institutions (W&I) Code Section 14124.70 et seq. Notifications must be submitted via email to ClassAction@dhcs.ca.gov and should include the following information:
  1. The Medi-Cal beneficiary’s name
  2. The Medi-Cal beneficiary’s date of birth
  3. The Medi-Cal beneficiary’s social security number (SSN)
  4. The date of the Medi-Cal beneficiary’s injury
  5. The Medi-Cal beneficiary’s Medi-Cal identification number,
  6. ​The contact information of the claims administrator, including their claim number

Please allow 30 days for DHCS to send a letter confirming receipt of the notification. ​​

When a settlement has occurred, the beneficiary, or representative on behalf of the beneficiary is required to notify DHCS. DHCS will request and review the medical payment records to establish a “lien”, or an itemization of injury related services subject to collection. Upon each settlement, the beneficiary​, or representative on behalf of the beneficiary, is required to notify DHCS, so an updated lien may be prepared pursuant to W&I Code Section 14124.76 and 14124.79. DHCS has the right to recover up to the date of settlement and/or full resolution of all actions associated with the injury, pursuant to W&I Code Section 14127.785.

To follow up on an established Class Action case or if a settlement has occurred, you may contact the unit at ClassAction@dhcs.ca.gov. Please include the DHCS case name and account number.

​DHCS Lien Overview: Class Action​

  1. Injury is reported to DHCS
    In order to proceed with the lien process, the date of injury, primary injury, settlement date, and award value must be provided.
  2. DHCS checks for Medi-Cal eligibility
    Eligibility verification takes 30 days to complete. However, additional time may be needed if Medi-Cal eligibility needs to be determined for multiple beneficiaries. Per Welfare and Institutions Code 14124.76, no settlement, judgment, or award is final until Medi-Cal has had a reasonable time to produce and satisfy the Medi-Cal lien.
  3. If eligible, a Class Action case is established
    If ineligible, DHCS will notify the submitting party.
  4. Prior to ordering payment data, DHCS will allow 120 days to pass from the settlement date.
    Per Welfare and Institutions Code section 14115, providers have up to one year from the date of service to bill Medi-Cal. Providers typically bill Medi-Cal within four months of the date of services. By requesting payment data no earlier than 120 days after the settlement date, DHCS is allowing sufficient time for providers to bill Medi-Cal.
  5. DHCS orders payment data from Managed Care Plan (MCP)
    Data may be ordered from multiple MCPs if the beneficiary is enrolled in multiple plans during the treatment period. MCPs usually respond to DHCS' request for records within 120 days. However, additional time may be needed. Records may need to be ordered from multiple Independent Physician Associations (IPAs).
  6. Once payment data arrives, DHCS will review and create a lien, if applicable.
    Reviewing the payment data usually takes between 30 days and 60 days. However, additional time may be needed.
  7. DHCS will send a “lien” or "no lien" letter to the appropriate parties.

Paying a Lien

In order to apply a payment to the correct account, the DHCS account number must be included with each payment submission. For your convenience, the following payment options are available:
  1. Payment via Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT) – To get started go to the EFT ​website. Two unique EFT options are available:
    • One-Time Payment – For Medi-Cal beneficiaries and entities with few claims
    • Enrolled User Payment – For entities with numerous claims and multiple payments. This option allows users to schedule advance payments and track payment history.
    • Select “Register” to register as an Enrolled User - Allow DHCS 5 business days to create and confirm your new Enrolled User account
      • ​Additional information about using EFT. 
  2. ​​Payment via check – Submit to: ​
​Department of Health Care Services
Third Party Liability and Recovery Division
Class Action Unit - MS 4720
P.O. Box 997421
Sacramento, CA 95899-7421​

Please reference the DHCS account number on the check and allow 15 to 30 business days for DHCS to receive and apply the payment.
If an insurance company issues a single check with both you and DHCS listed, please review instructions under item #19 in the Frequently Asked Questions​.

Contact Information

  • Email Address: ClassAction@dhcs.ca.gov
  • Phone Support Unit (916) 445-9891
    • Hours of operation: Monday through Friday - 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
    • ​Closed on weekends and State Holidays
  • Online Forms​​ – notify and update DHCS electronically
  • Mailing Address for written correspondence:

Department of Health Care Services
Third Party Liability and Recovery Division
Class Action Unit - MS 4720
P.O. Box 997425
Sacramento, CA 95899-7425​​​​​
Last modified date: 5/3/2022 11:19 AM