Californians are fortunate to have the strongest patients' rights laws in the nation. The DMHC is here to make sure these laws are followed and that all health plan members get the right care at the right time. Find out how in this section.
The California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC), a first-in the-nation HMO consumer rights organization, helps California consumers resolve problems with their health plan and works to provide a more stable and financially solvent managed care system.
The DMHC is made up of a team of dedicated professionals who strive to provide the right care at the right time for California health plan members.
Our Director, Lucinda "Cindy" Ehnes has been a consumer rights advocate for the past twenty years. She has brought a new balance to the DMHC between strong consumer protection and streamlining bureaucracy, so that health plans can remain competitive in the managed care marketplace.
The DMHC operates the Financial Solvency Standards Board, comprised of people with expertise in the medical, financial and health plan industries. The board advises the Director on ways to keep the managed care industry financially healthy and available for the more than 21 million Californians who are currently enrolled in these types of health plans.
Two committees previously operated by the DMHC, the Advisory Committee on Managed Care and the Clinical Advisory Panel, have expired by order of the legislature. However, you can still search past reports of these committees to learn about important health care issues.