Last Updated: September 1, 2026
What Is DHCS? Understanding the California Department of Health Care Services and Medi-Cal
If you receive Medi-Cal in California, you may frequently see the abbreviation DHCS on websites, notices, forms, and official Medi-Cal information.
DHCS stands for the California Department of Health Care Services.
DHCS is the California state department responsible for administering and financing Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program. It also oversees many health care programs and delivery systems connected to Medi-Cal.
DHCS creates and oversees statewide Medi-Cal policy. Your County Medi-Cal Office usually handles your individual application, eligibility determination, renewal, and reported household changes.
What Does DHCS Do?
DHCS is California's designated state Medicaid agency. It is responsible for administering Medi-Cal in partnership with the federal government, counties, Medi-Cal health plans, providers, and other organizations.
DHCS responsibilities include:
- Administering California's Medi-Cal program
- Developing statewide Medi-Cal eligibility and benefit policies
- Implementing federal and state Medicaid requirements
- Contracting with and overseeing Medi-Cal managed care plans
- Overseeing Medi-Cal covered health care benefits
- Administering Medi-Cal pharmacy programs
- Overseeing Medi-Cal Dental
- Overseeing specialty mental health and substance use disorder programs
- Administering and monitoring long-term services and supports
- Working with counties that determine individual Medi-Cal eligibility
- Monitoring access to and quality of Medi-Cal services
DHCS and Medi-Cal
Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program, but DHCS is the state department that administers the program.
DHCS establishes and implements many of the statewide policies that determine how Medi-Cal operates.
These policies can involve:
- Eligibility rules
- Covered health care services
- Managed care requirements
- Provider requirements
- Medi-Cal Dental
- Medi-Cal Rx
- Mental health services
- Substance use disorder treatment
- Transportation
- Long-term services and supports
DHCS administers Medi-Cal statewide, but that does not mean DHCS personally processes every Medi-Cal application. Individual eligibility is generally handled by California counties.
What Does Your County Medi-Cal Office Do?
For most people, the County Medi-Cal Office is the agency they deal with directly when applying for or renewing Medi-Cal.
Your county generally handles:
- Processing Medi-Cal applications
- Reviewing household and income information
- Requesting required verification documents
- Determining individual Medi-Cal eligibility
- Processing annual renewals
- Reviewing changes in income or household circumstances
- Updating your address and other contact information
- Sending Medi-Cal Notices of Action
- Ending or changing coverage when eligibility requirements are no longer met
For example, if you apply through BenefitsCal, your local county generally processes the application and determines whether you qualify.
DHCS vs. County Medi-Cal Office
| DHCS | County Medi-Cal Office |
|---|---|
| Administers Medi-Cal statewide | Processes individual applications |
| Develops statewide policy | Applies eligibility rules to individual cases |
| Oversees Medi-Cal health plans | Reviews income and household information |
| Oversees Medi-Cal benefits and delivery systems | Handles annual Medi-Cal renewals |
| Oversees Medi-Cal Dental, pharmacy and behavioral health programs | Updates address and other case information |
| Works with counties, plans and providers | Sends eligibility Notices of Action |
Does DHCS Oversee Medi-Cal Health Plans?
Yes. DHCS contracts with and oversees Medi-Cal managed care plans throughout California.
Most Medi-Cal members receive much of their medical care through a Medi-Cal managed care health plan.
Health plans coordinate services through provider networks that may include:
- Primary care doctors
- Specialists
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Other health care providers
DHCS establishes contractual and program requirements for Medi-Cal managed care plans and monitors their performance and compliance.
Does DHCS Run Medi-Cal Dental?
DHCS is responsible for the Medi-Cal Dental program.
Dental benefits are delivered differently depending on where a Medi-Cal member lives.
- Most California counties use Medi-Cal Dental Fee-for-Service.
- Sacramento County generally uses mandatory Dental Managed Care, with limited exceptions.
- Los Angeles County offers Dental Managed Care as an option.
- Different arrangements can apply in some other counties or health plan situations.
DHCS develops and administers Medi-Cal Dental policy and oversees its delivery systems.
Does DHCS Oversee Mental Health and Substance Use Services?
Yes. DHCS has major responsibilities for Medi-Cal behavioral health programs.
For example, DHCS administers and oversees programs involving:
- Specialty Mental Health Services
- County Mental Health Plans
- Drug Medi-Cal
- Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System
- Other Medi-Cal behavioral health initiatives
Many of these services are delivered locally through county behavioral health systems even though DHCS provides statewide administration, policy, and oversight.
Who Should I Contact About My Medi-Cal?
The correct place to contact depends on the problem you are trying to solve.
| Your Question | Where to Start |
|---|---|
| Medi-Cal application | County Medi-Cal Office |
| Eligibility question | County Medi-Cal Office |
| Annual renewal | County Medi-Cal Office / BenefitsCal |
| Address or income change | County Medi-Cal Office / BenefitsCal |
| Doctor or health plan issue | Your Medi-Cal Health Plan |
| Health plan enrollment | Medi-Cal Health Care Options |
| Prescription drug question | Medi-Cal Rx |
| Dental question | Medi-Cal Dental or Dental Health Plan |
| Specialty mental health question | County Mental Health Plan |
| Disagree with an eligibility decision | County first and/or California State Hearing |
What If My County Stops My Medi-Cal?
Suppose your county sends you a Notice of Action saying your Medi-Cal is ending because required renewal information was not received.
Your first step is usually to contact the County Medi-Cal Office that made the decision.
You may be able to:
- Provide missing renewal information
- Correct incorrect information
- Ask the county to review the case
- Request a State Hearing if you disagree with the decision
County says it did not receive your renewal documents → Contact the county first and provide the missing information as soon as possible.
If the problem is not corrected or you disagree with the county's decision → Review your State Hearing rights.
Who Handles Medi-Cal State Hearings?
This is an important distinction.
Although DHCS administers the Medi-Cal program, California's public-benefits State Hearing process is administered through the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) State Hearings Division.
You may request a State Hearing if you disagree with certain actions or inaction involving Medi-Cal eligibility or benefits.
The deadline can depend on the type of Medi-Cal dispute, so always read the hearing rights and deadline printed on your Notice of Action.
1-800-743-8525
If your dispute is about a decision made by your Medi-Cal managed care health plan concerning a medical service, you generally must first use the health plan's appeal process before requesting a State Hearing. Follow the instructions and deadlines on the plan's notice.
Does DHCS Pay Doctors Directly?
Sometimes, but the payment system depends on how the Medi-Cal service is delivered.
For example:
- Under Fee-for-Service Medi-Cal, enrolled providers can bill Medi-Cal for covered services.
- Under Medi-Cal managed care, DHCS contracts with health plans, and the health plans arrange and pay for many covered services through their provider networks.
- Prescription, dental, behavioral health, and other services may use different payment and delivery systems.
Therefore, it is more accurate to say that DHCS finances and administers the Medi-Cal program rather than saying DHCS directly pays every Medi-Cal doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is DHCS the same as Medi-Cal?
No. Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid health coverage program. DHCS is the California state department responsible for administering and financing Medi-Cal.
Does DHCS decide whether I personally qualify for Medi-Cal?
Usually your County Medi-Cal Office reviews your individual application and determines eligibility using statewide Medi-Cal rules.
Should I call DHCS to renew my Medi-Cal?
Usually no. Annual eligibility renewals are generally handled by your county. You may also be able to provide renewal information through BenefitsCal.
Who should I call if my Medi-Cal was discontinued?
Start with the County Medi-Cal Office listed on your Notice of Action. Ask why your coverage ended and what information is needed to review or restore your eligibility.
Can I appeal a Medi-Cal decision?
Yes. Depending on the type of decision, you may have State Hearing rights. A dispute involving your health plan's denial of a medical service generally follows the managed care appeal process first.
Official Resources
- DHCS — About the Department of Health Care Services
- DHCS — Medi-Cal
- DHCS — Medi-Cal Managed Care
- DHCS — Medi-Cal Dental
- DHCS — Behavioral Health Services
- California Department of Social Services — State Hearing Requests
- BenefitsCal
- California Medi-Cal County Office Contact Guide
California Benefits Guide is an independent informational website and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the State of California, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Medi-Cal, any county agency, or any Medi-Cal health plan. This article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only and is not legal, medical, or official Medi-Cal eligibility advice. Program responsibilities, procedures, benefits, and appeal rules may change. Always verify current information with DHCS, your County Medi-Cal Office, CDSS, or the appropriate government agency.