Benefits Division - About Us
The Benefits Division is responsible for managing and ensuring the uniform application of federal and state laws and regulations regarding Medi-Cal covered services and policies affecting more than 12.8 million fee-for-service and managed care beneficiaries as well as more than 241,800 providers. The Benefits Division adds, limits, modifies, or eliminates services to increase patient safety, reduce risk, and reduce cost of care. The division is one of the Department of Health Care Services' primary liaisons with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for amendments to the Medicaid State Plan. As such, it coordinates with other divisions within DHCS and State departments to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements under the State Plan.
The division includes medical consultants and a research scientist who review medical evidence, including studies published in peer-reviewed health journals as well as evidenced-based treatment and clinical practice guidelines published by professional organizations and scientific societies, to determine which treatments and medicines are most effective and provide the highest quality of care.
Every Woman Counts (EWC) is part of the Benefits Division. It is the largest breast cancer detection program in the nation and serves 150,000 - 170,000 women annually. EWC provides free breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to California's underserved populations. The mission of EWC is to save lives by preventing and reducing the devastating effects of cancer for Californians through public and provider education, early detection, diagnosis, case management, and integrated preventive services. More information about the EWC program and/or to find a EWC provider, visit the EWC webpage.
The Prostate Cancer Treatment Program (PCTP) is part of the Benefits Division. PCTP develops, expands, and ensures high-quality prostate cancer treatment for low-income (at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level), uninsured, and underinsured California men who are 18 and older. PCTP is administered by the University of California, Los Angeles under the name Improving Access, Counseling, and Treatment (IMPACT), and is a statewide program that coordinates treatment for low-income patients diagnosed with prostate cancer.
