Medicare Advantage plans

During Medicare's Annual Election Period (October 15 – December 7), Dignity Health encourages you to consider Medicare Advantage plans to ensure you can access Dignity Health's comprehensive, quality health care network.

Financial Benefits to Medicare Advantage

New research finds beneficiaries with Medicare Advantage spend less compared to other Medicare plans^*:

• Beneficiaries with Medicare Advantage typically receive better value and spend nearly 40 percent less.

• Beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage can save $50,000 to $85,000 over their lifetimes.

• Medicare Advantage plans provide additional, high-value services that reduce health care costs and improve outcomes.

*Source: UnitedHealth Group, January 2020

New to Medicare?

To enroll in Medicare, you may need to contact Social Security directly. It's recommended you do this before your 65th birthday to avoid lapse in coverage and avoid any penalties for signing up late. Upon contacting Social Security, you should receive a packet in the mail from Medicare before you turn 65. You can enroll in Medicare online or in person at your local Social Security office.

If you are planning to retire, you have a 7-month window surrounding your 65th birthday to enroll to avoid penalties; this is called your initial enrollment period. After that, you can still enroll in Medicare, but may need to wait for a designated special/annual election period to do so, based on qualifying events such as moving, loss of coverage, or opportunity to get other coverage.

Dignity Health is proud to be offered through these Medicare Advantage health plans^*:

• Anthem
• Dignity Health Medical Network (formerly GEMCare)
  • Blue Shield 
  • Health Net 
  • Wellcare (via Health Net)
• Independence Medical Group (IMG)
  
• Meritain Health
• United Healthcare (including CalPERs)

^{*Benefits among health plans and employers vary. Please refer to your health insurance information for details and descriptions of your benefits coverage.}

Additional Resources

• Your Dignity Health Network
• Welcome to Dignity Health Medical Group
• Bienvenido a Dignity Health Medical Group

*Please note that hospital and medical group clinics may accept different health insurance plans. To ensure your insurance is accepted at your preferred location, we recommend contacting your health insurance provider directly to confirm coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for Medicare?
The Annual Enrollment Period is the time of year when you can enroll in or make changes to your Medicare Advantage plan.

When is the Annual Enrollment Period?
The Annual Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage: October 15, 2024 - December 7, 2024.

What is a Medicare Advantage plan?
Medicare Advantage plans are also referred to as Medicare Part C. These are a type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide you with all your Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) benefits. 

Where can I go for more information?
Medicare.gov is the official U.S. Government site for Medicare. 

^{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.}