The Utilization Review Unit was formed in July of 1983 to provide the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department with a quality assurance and cost containment system. Two new programs came into being at that time, the Medically Indigent Adult Service Program (MIA) and the Santa Barbara Regional Health Authority (SBHA) also known as Santa Barbara Health Initiative (SBHI).

Utilization Review staff work to ensure the Public Health Department's MIA patients have access to medically appropriate and necessary services that are not available in county health clinics. In addition, they process payment to doctors who provide these services and collect data to monitor the quality of medical care at the Public Health Department. The MIA Program provides financial assistance to adults who are not eligible for Medi-Cal so they can get the health care they need.

For more information contact:

Public Health Department
Utilization Review Manager
345 Camino Del Remedio
Santa Barbara, CA 93110
(805) 681-5390