About Us

The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) is one of Georgia’s four health agencies serving the state’s growing population of almost 10 million people.  Responsible for a $12 billion budget for State Fiscal Year 2014, the department is one of the largest agencies in Georgia state government.

Serving as the lead agency for Medicaid and also overseeing the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP), Healthcare Facility Regulation and Health Information Technology in Georgia, DCH’s programs provide access to health care services for one in four Georgians. 

Through effective planning, purchasing and oversight, DCH provides access to affordable, quality health care to millions of Georgians, including some of the state’s most vulnerable and underserved populations.

Five enterprise offices support the work of the agency’s four programs, with more than 600 DCH employees based in Atlanta, Cordele and across the state.

Frank W. Berry, serves as Commissioner of the Department of Community Health.

History

The Department of Community Health (DCH) was created in 1999 by the Georgia General Assembly through the transfer of certain functions and duties performed by three state health agencies. Those agencies (or sections thereof) were the Department of Medical Assistance (now Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program); the Health Planning Agency and the State Personnel Board (including the Georgia Merit System’s health care plan section, now the State Health Benefit Plan).

In 2009, the Healthcare Facility Regulation Division was created at DCH from sections transferred from the former Department of Human Resources’ Office of Regulatory Services. Also in 2009, the Office of Health Information Technology and Transparency (now the Health Information Technology Division) was formed at DCH. Today, the Department of Community Health serves as the lead agency for health care planning, purchasing and oversight in Georgia.

For State Fiscal Years 2013 - 2016

Mission

The mission of the Department of Community Health is to provide Georgians with access to affordable, quality health care through effective planning, purchasing and oversight.

We are dedicated to A Healthy Georgia.

Vision

DCH is committed to a lean and responsive state government that promotes the health and prosperity of its citizens through innovative and effective delivery of quality health care programs.

Goals

State of Georgia’s Key Goals for the Department of Community Health

• Healthy Georgia
• Responsible and Efficient Government, Fiscally Sound, Principled, Conservative

Department of Community Health’s Key Goals

• Improve health status of Georgians by promoting healthy lifestyles, preventive care, disease management and disparity elimination.
• Improve access to quality health care at an affordable price.
• Ensure value in health care contracts.
• Move health plans administered by DCH toward being financially solvent to meet the needs of the members.
• Increase effectiveness and efficiency in the delivery of health care programs.
• Ensure DCH has enough workers with the necessary skills and competencies to meet the current and future demand.

Core Organizational Values

• Accessible and Affordable Health Care
• Program Integrity/Ethics
• Fiscal Responsibility and Efficiency
• Health Promotion and Prevention
• Innovative Technology
• Quality-driven Services
• Teamwork
• Respect for Others