I am a CalPERS member
Dignity Health is offered through many of the health plans available to CalPERS members.
Open Enrollment
With open enrollment coming once a year, you’ll want to make the most of your choices and understand how they’ll impact your family’s health coverage in the coming year.
If you have a doctor or group of doctors you have been seeing or would like to see, be sure they are in the health plan's network. Don’t forget to check with the insurance plan to make sure your doctor is in their network
Dignity Health is offered through many of the health plans available to CalPERS members.
This Open Enrollment, be sure the health plan you choose includes Dignity Health. Ask your HR Benefits Manager or click below to learn more.
Get health coverage for your whole family through Covered California. Click below to learn about available options.
Considering a Medicare Advantage plan? Click below or contact your current broker or licensed insurance agent for more information.
When you choose a plan that connects you to Dignity Health’s award-winning doctors, you’ll have a choice of where to get care, from virtual visits to medical complexes with on-site primary and specialty care. You also have access to nationally recognized hospital programs for heart, stroke, cancer care, and other specialties.
Choosing a health insurance plan that connects you to Dignity Health means you’ll be connected to primary and specialty care providers throughout Kern and Tulare counties our affiliated medical groups: Dignity Health Medical Group – Bakersfield, Dignity Health Surgical Specialists – Southwest, Dignity Health Women's Center – Southwest, and Dignity Health Urology Center – Southwest.
The Dignity Health California network also includes other health care services, including 17 urgent care centers, 13 imaging locations, more than 31 lab locations, and 12 outpatient surgery centers.
With three full-service hospitals in the area, we offer the highest level of stroke care and one of the largest cardiovascular programs in the region, in addition to exceptional care in other specialties like women’s health, orthopedics, cancer care, and more. By bringing together a wide variety of disciplines with a focus on prevention and improved quality of life, we make it easy to find care for any lifestyle.
To make the most of your choices during open enrollment, it’s important to understand what your choices are and what effect these choices have on the health care you and your family will receive in the coming year. We can help.
Dignity Health operates three hospitals in Bakersfield - Memorial Hospital, Mercy Hospital Downtown, and Mercy Hosptial Southwest.
Learn more about our facilities and the services we provide.
420 34th Street, Bakersfield, CA
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2215 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA
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400 Old River Road, Bakersfield, CA
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Dignity Health Medical Network (formerly GEM Care)
At Dignity Health Medical Network-Central California (DHMN-CC), we are dedicated to providing daily excellence for all our patient's health care needs. DHMN is comprised of physicians who have cared for members of our community for many years and have joined together to serve the needs of area residents better.
Our physicians are dedicated to providing health care of the highest quality, delivered with care and compassion. Our doctors are here to care for patients through every stage of life. By choosing a Dignity Health primary care physician (PCP), patients can access timely care, virtual visits, Dignity Health's online tools and patient portal, and much more.
Dignity Health Medical Network is also proud to offer access to urgent care, radiology and lab services—and nationally recognized acute care hospitals should you need them.
Open Enrollment is a time of year when you can sign up for health insurance. Additionally, you may qualify to enroll if you have a qualifying life event, like losing coverage through your employer.
Open Enrollment dates depend on the type of insurance. These are the dates to enroll for coverage in 2024:
Dignity Health is not a health insurance company. Dignity Health is a provider network of more than 60,000 caregivers and staff who deliver excellent care to diverse communities in hospitals, physician offices, and other types of care centers in California, Arizona, and Nevada. Headquartered in San Francisco, Dignity Health is the fifth largest health system in the nation and the largest hospital provider in California.
A primary care physician (PCP) helps you manage your health. Common services include regular physical exams, prescribing medications, treating minor illness and injuries, managing chronic conditions, and screening for common health problems.
Should you need specialized care, your primary care physician can expertly guide your next steps and connect you to the right specialist. There are five main types of primary care physicians: family medicine doctors for the whole family; internal medicine-pediatric doctors for preventing and treating diseases; pediatricians who specialize in children; internal medicine doctors who care for adults; and OB-GYNs for adult women.
Choosing and building a relationship with one of these doctors can help you live a healthy lifestyle based on your individual needs.
It's a good idea to confirm your doctor and your hospital of choice are covered by your new insurance for the upcoming year by checking the insurance website or calling your insurance carrier directly. Do not assume your physician is covered without checking first. Doctors and hospitals may periodically change the insurance plans they accept.
One type of health insurance is not better than the other, but there are differences. With an HMO plan, you will choose a Primary Care Provider (PCP) who will coordinate any specialty care you may need. Services are all provided through physicians and facilities in the health plan's HMO network. With a PPO, you may also choose a PCP, but you will not need a referral to see another physician. It will usually cost less to see in-network physicians than out-of-network physicians. Whether you are considering an HMO or a PPO, you can determine which doctors, medical groups, hospitals, etc. are in the network before you enroll.
Whether you purchased coverage during Open Enrollment in the last year or two, or you began coverage due to a qualifying event in between Open Enrollment periods, it's a good idea to assess your coverage each year. The Open Enrollment period, which generally begins in November and runs through January, is the only time you can make a change unless you have a qualifying event, such as getting married, moving, or having a child. The health plan options available in your area can change each Open Enrollment. By taking the time to shop around, you may find a carrier or plan that will cost less each month or less when you access services.
Whether you purchased coverage during Open Enrollment in the last year or two, or you began coverage due to a qualifying event in between Open Enrollment periods, it's a good idea to assess your coverage each year. The Open Enrollment period, which generally begins in November and runs through January, is the only time you can make a change unless you have a qualifying event, such as getting married, moving, or having a child. The health plan options available in your area can change each Open Enrollment. By taking the time to shop around, you may find a carrier or plan that will cost less each month or less when you access services.
*Benefits among health plans and employers vary. Please refer to your health insurance information for details and descriptions of your benefits coverage.
Dignity Health is not a health insurance company. Dignity Health is a provider network of more than 60,000 caregivers and staff who deliver excellent care to diverse communities in hospitals, physician offices and other types of care centers in 21 states. Headquartered in San Francisco, Dignity Health is the fifth largest health system in the nation and the largest hospital provider in California.