Department of Managed Health Care
Encyclopedia
The Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) is a regulatory body governing managed health care in California
. The Interim Director is Edward G. Heidig.
The DMHC forms part of the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency
. It was established through the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, and maintains responsibility for enforcing this, and other related laws and regulations.
The Knox-Keene Health Act actually does not place all of managed health care in California under the DMHC. For example, Anthem Blue Cross (a for profit organization whose parent is WellPoint, Inc. in Indiana) has some health care products under the DMHC, some under the Department of Insurance (DOI), and some sold under "self insurance" systems (like school districts); in the latter two cases the DMHC has no jurisdiction. Particular problems can occur, for example, when teachers find that their benefits are denied and there is really no oversight protection. It is thus not clear that separating the DMHC from the Department of Insurance actually empowered patients.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The Interim Director is Edward G. Heidig.
The DMHC forms part of the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency
California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency
The California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency is a state cabinet-level agency in the government of California. The Business, Transportation and Housing Agency is responsible for oversight of 14 offices and departments and four economic development programs and initiatives within the...
. It was established through the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, and maintains responsibility for enforcing this, and other related laws and regulations.
The Knox-Keene Health Act actually does not place all of managed health care in California under the DMHC. For example, Anthem Blue Cross (a for profit organization whose parent is WellPoint, Inc. in Indiana) has some health care products under the DMHC, some under the Department of Insurance (DOI), and some sold under "self insurance" systems (like school districts); in the latter two cases the DMHC has no jurisdiction. Particular problems can occur, for example, when teachers find that their benefits are denied and there is really no oversight protection. It is thus not clear that separating the DMHC from the Department of Insurance actually empowered patients.