California Department of Managed Health Care

The Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) is a regulatory body governing managed health care plans, sometimes referred to as Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) in California. The current director, Shelley Rouillard, was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown on December 2, 2013. The DMHC is part of the California Health and Human Services Agency. It was established in 2000 and is responsible for enforcing the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, and other related laws and regulations.

Not all health plans operating in California are under the juricdiction of the DMHC. For example, most Preferred Provider Organizations are regulated by the California Department of Insurance (DOI). In addition, "self-insured" or ERISA plans, offered by some large employers are under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Labor.