Dignity Health and Central California Alliance for Health Reach Three-Year Contract Renewal Agreement

Santa Cruz and Merced, California (March 19, 2024) - Central California Alliance for Health (the Alliance) and Dignity Health announced today that they have signed a three-year contract renewal that will ensure members maintain access to Dignity Health hospitals and physicians through December 31, 2026 for their health care needs. The deal comes after months of negotiations to ensure a fair and equitable agreement for both organizations reflective of the current state of health care.

“Dignity Health is grateful to have reached a new agreement with the Alliance that ensures patients will continue to have access to high-quality health services close to home,” said Julie Sprengel, California Region President, CommonSpirit Health, of which Dignity Health is a part. “Thank you to the Alliance for their commitment to our partnership and those we collectively serve.”

The new agreement covers Dignity Health Dominican Hospital, Mercy Medical Center Merced, Dignity Health Medical Groups, Mercy Home Care and University Surgical Center. Since an agreement was met prior to the March 15 deadline, there was no lapse in network status for hospitals and providers, and Alliance members may continue to see their doctors and care providers.

“As a local health plan, the Alliance remains committed to ensuring access to health care for our members, who are among the most vulnerable residents in the counties we serve," said Michael Schrader, the Alliance’s Chief Executive Officer. "Dignity Health has been a longstanding partner in serving our communities' health needs, and we are pleased that our shared vision of maintaining access to care remains.”

Alliance members with questions can call the Member Services team at (800) 700-3874 Monday-Friday 8-5:30 p.m.

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About Dignity Health

Dignity Health is a multi-state nonprofit network of 10,000 physicians, more than 60,000 employees, 41 acute care hospitals, and 400-plus care-centers, including community hospitals, urgent care, surgery and imaging centers, home health, and primary care clinics in Arizona, California, and Nevada. Dignity Health is dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality, and affordable patient-centered care with special attention to the poor and underserved. Dignity Health is a part of CommonSpirit Health, a nonprofit health system committed to advancing health for all people and dedicated to serving the common good. For more information, please visit our website at www.DignityHealth.org.

About Central California Alliance for Health (the Alliance) 

The Alliance is an award-winning regional non-profit health plan, established in 1996, with over 28 years of successful operation. Using the State’s County Organized Health System (COHS) model, we currently serve more than 456,000 members in Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties. We work in partnership with our contracted providers to promote prevention, early detection and effective treatment, and improve access to quality health care for those we serve. This results in the delivery of innovative community-based health care services, better medical outcomes and cost savings. The Alliance is governed with local representation from each county on our Board of Commissioners. For more information, visit www.thealliance.health.