Employer-sponsored health insurance plans
Considering your employer’s health plan options during Open Enrollment? Keep in mind that having a doctor you know and trust is key to maintaining your health. With many physicians and multiple clinic locations throughout Merced, it's easy to find a doctor close by. We also offer virtual visits with your personal Dignity Health primary care physician (PCP) or specialist. This Open Enrollment, be sure your plan includes Dignity Health physicians and hospitals.
How to enroll
- Select an insurance plan accepted by Dignity Health. (see below)
- Find a Dignity Health primary care physician (PCP) that meets your needs.
- Enroll in your chosen plan based on your employer's instructions.
Dignity Health is proud to be offered through these health plans*:
- Aetna
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Blue Shield Trio
- Cigna
- Corvel
- Coventry/First Health
- Health Net
- HealthSmart/Interplan
- Kaiser Permanente
- MultiPlan
- UnitedHealthcare
*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.
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 2022:
- CalPERS employees and retirees: September 18, 2023 - October 13, 2023
- Medicare Advantage: October 15, 2023 - December 7, 2023
- Individual Market: November 1, 2023 - January 31, 2024
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Open Enrollment
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. Always be sure to verify with the insurance plan that your doctor is in-network.
Since health plan and network information may change, we recommend confirming your choice is available in your area by contacting the health plan's customer service number listed on its website.