The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) is the second largest municipal health system in the nation. Through an integrated system of 19 health centers and four hospitals – and through partnerships with community-based clinics — DHS annually cares for about 600,000 unique patients, employs over 22,000 staff, and has an annual operating budget of $4.3 billion.
DHS provides healthcare to youth in the juvenile justice system, to inmates in County jails and to children in foster care. Through academic affiliations with the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), DHS hospitals are training sites for physicians completing their Graduate Medical Education in nearly every medical specialty and subspecialty. DHS also runs the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency and the County’s 911 emergency response system.
Through the Housing for Health program, DHS aims to build 10,000 supportive housing units for chronically homeless individuals. The DHS Office of Diversion and Re-entry works with a variety of stakeholders to divert low-level offenders away from jails and into community-based treatment to reduce recidivism and improve health outcomes.
DHS, along with the Los Angeles County Departments of Public Health and Mental Health, are now integrated under a Health Agency model to improve health and wellness across the County through programs that promote healthy people living in healthy communities.
Mission
Our mission is to ensure access to high-quality, patient-centered, cost-effective health care to Los Angeles County residents through direct services at DHS facilities and through collaboration with community and university partners.
Utilization Management Policy Statements
Utilization Management Criteria and how you can obtain a copy
Utilization Management criteria used at DHS are available to DHS practitioners, providers, patients/members and their representatives, and the public upon request. To obtain a copy of the criteria used to make utilization management decisions, practitioners, providers, patients/members and their representatives, and the public may contact DHS Utilization Management at (800) 832-6334.
Affirmative Statement Regarding Incentives for Utilization Management Decisions
DHS is committed to ensuring that our patients/members receive the best and the most appropriate care possible. Utilization management decision making is based only on appropriateness of care and evidence of coverage. DHS does not directly or indirectly reward practitioners or other individuals for issuing denials of coverage, service or care. There are no financial incentives or compensation offered to such individuals, as utilization management decision-makers, to encourage underutilization of services.