The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) administers California’s Medicaid (Medi-Cal) program. The Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health Services (SMHS) program operates under the authority of a Section 1915(b) waiver approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), alongside the State’s other Medi-Cal delivery systems: Medi-Cal managed care, dental managed care, and the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS). DHCS received approval on December 29, 2021 from CMS for the CalAIM Section 1915(b) waiver, effective through December 31, 2026.​​ 

作为唯一的州Medicaid机构， DHCS负责管理Medi-Cal SMHS 豁免Program ，该计划通过县精神Health Plan (MHP) 向Medi-Cal受益人提供 SMHS。 心理健康专业人员必须向其所在县符合医疗必要性标准的受益人提供或安排提供心理健康服务，以符合受益人的心理健康治疗需求和目标。​​