​​​​​​Estate Recovery Program

The Medi-Cal program must seek repayment from the estates of certain deceased Medi-Cal beneficiaries.  Repayment only applies to benefits received by these beneficiaries on or after their 55th birthday and those who owned assets at the time of death.  If a deceased beneficiary owns nothing when they die, nothing will be owed.

For Medi-Cal members who died on or after January 1, 2017: (See Changes to Estate Recovery effective January 1, 2017 due to Legislation SB 833)

For Medi-Cal beneficiaries who died prior to January 1, 2017:

• Repayment will be sought from all assets owned by the deceased beneficiary at the time of death.      
• Repayment will be owed for payments made for most services received and/or monthly managed care premiums paid on behalf of the Medi-Cal beneficiary.

Submitting Notice of Death

If you are the person handling the affairs of the deceased Medi-Cal beneficiary, you must provide “Notice of Death” to the Director of DHCS within 90 days of the date of death with a copy of the death certificate. To satisfy the “Notice of Death” requirement and for fastest processing, complete and submit online the “Notice of Death” form with a copy of the death certificate.  You may also mail “Notice of Death” with a copy of the death certificate to DHCS at: Department of Health Care Services, Estate Recovery Program, MS 4720, P.O. Box 997425, Sacramento, CA 95899-7425.

Exemptions/Waivers 

Specific limitations or exemptions may apply. The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) may waive its claim if payment of the claim would cause a substantial hardship. Any request for a substantial hardship waiver must be submitted to DHCS within 60 days of the date on the DHCS Estate Recovery claim letter.

Applications for Hardship Waiver and other documentation pertaining to Hardship Waiver Applications can be submitted via email to HW@DHCS.CA.GOV or by mail. ​

Certain income and resources of American Indians and Alaska Natives are exempt from Estate Recovery. Please be sure to inform DHCS if the decedent’s property is on or near a federally recognized reservation, Pueblo, or Colony. A collection representative will contact you to clarify if DHCS can or cannot collect against these assets. For specific details on what assets are exempt from Estate Recovery please see the State Medicaid Manual, Section 3810 (7) and (8).

Pay a Claim 

When you receive our claim amount and are ready to submit payment, we accept Electronic Fund Transfers (EFT) and checks. Regardless of which method you use to pay, you will need your DHCS Account Number to ensure payment is posted to the correct account.

Contact Information 

• Estate Recovery Email: ER@DHCS.CA.GOV

• Hardship Waiver Email: HW@DHCS.CA.GOV​

• Phone: (916) 650-0590

• Mailing address for written correspondence:

• Mailing address for payments:

​Request for Medi-Cal Expenses Subject to Estate Recovery

Medi-Cal members or their authorized representative may submit a Request for Medi-Cal Expenses Subject to Estate Recovery, form DHCS 4017, once per calendar year for a five dollar ($5) processing fee if the current or former member meets either of the following descriptions:

a.    An individual who is 55 years of age or older when the individual received health care services.

b.    A permanently institutionalized individual who is an inpatient in a nursing facility, intermediate care facility of the intellectually disabled, or other medical institution. ​