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.

A health insurance broker or agent is a person who can help you apply for help to pay for your health insurance and enroll in a health plan. They can make specific recommendations about which plan to enroll in based on your health care needs. They are licensed and regulated by states and typically get payments, or commissions, from health insurers and therefore, consumers do not pay for their services. Dignity Health offers a list of brokers here who provide enrollment assistance over the phone and in person.

Health insurance plans available through the exchanges vary from region to region for each state. The simplest way to check is to go to Dignity Health Plans and Care Centers for California, or Arizona and Nevada. Find the region your county is in, and then check the list of regions to see which health plans aligned with Dignity Health physicians and facilities in 2020.

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 they accept. Review "Dignity Health Insurance By Region" for California, Arizona or Nevada which will allow you to see Dignity Health doctors and visit Dignity Health facilities.You can also call and speak to a Dignity Health referral representative who can help: California: (877) 612-6054 Arizona: (866) 600-1065 Nevada: (866) 607-9523

The Health Insurance Marketplace (sometimes known as the Health Insurance Exchange) is a way Americans can compare and shop for health insurance. Some may even be able to get help paying for that insurance.Depending on where you live, your Health Insurance Marketplace will be run by the state or by the federal government. In California, the exchange- Covered California-is run by the state, while Arizona and Nevada have chosen to participate in the federal government exchange, healthcare.gov.

To be eligible: You must live in the U.S.You  must be a U.S. citizen or national, or a lawful resident. Even if you don't qualify because you are not a U.S. citizen, other members of your  family might be eligible for coverage. There is no penalty for applying, and your information will not be used for any purpose other than determining if you and your family members qualify for health coverage. Also, health plans available through the Health Insurance Marketplace aren't the only new form of coverage available. Even if you cannot afford to purchase insurance  through the exchanges, you may still qualify for free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Even now,  many Americans who qualify for these programs are not currently enrolled.

You have many ways to apply: in person, over the phone, or online. If you would like assistance, the state and federal exchanges have certified enrollment assistance available both in person and over the phone. Assistance is available at no cost to you. Dignity Health offers contact information for Health Insurance Experts who can advise you about the health coverage available in your area and the application process for your state. If you prefer to apply directly online, you can complete the application process at coveredca.com (for California) or healthcare.gov (for Arizona and Nevada). Even if you decide to apply directly online, a Health Insurance Expert has valuable resources to help make the process go smoother.

Once I've enrolled, how quickly does new health coverage into effect? Once you've enrolled, coverage will begin the first of each month as long as you have enrolled by the 15th of the previous month. If you enroll after the 15th of the month, coverage will begin on the first of the following month. For example, if you enroll for coverage on Dec 15, your coverage will go into effect on Jan 1. If you enroll for coverage on Dec 16, your coverage will go into effect February 1.

If you enroll in a plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you may be eligible for financial assistance. The amount of money you would have to pay each month depends on your income. The same application used to determine the coverage options you qualify for will also tell you how much financial help you can get.

Health insurance plans are sold in four primary levels of coverage: Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum. They present a range of options. At one end is Bronze, with the lowest monthly premium, but with higher copays and deductibles when you need medical care. At the other end is Platinum, in which enrollees pay higher monthly premiums but pay less when they need medical care. You can choose the level of coverage that best meets your health needs and budget. The breakdown of costs for the standard Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum health plan levels is as follows:Bronze: On average, your health plan pays 60 percent of your medical expenses, and you pay 40 percent.Silver: On average, your health plan pays 70 percent of your medical expenses, and you pay 30 percent. In some cases, individuals may qualify for an Enhanced Silver plan based on their income, which enhances savings through lower copays, coinsurance, and deductibles in addition to a lower monthly premium cost. Gold: On average, your health plan pays 80 percent of your medical expenses, and you pay 20 percent.Platinum: On average, your health plan pays 90 percent of your medical expenses, and you pay 10 percent.In addition, there is a minimum coverage plan for those who qualify:Minimum coverage plan: If you're under 30, you may be able to buy a health insurance plan option called minimum coverage plan, also known as a "catastrophic" plan. These plans usually have lower premiums and mostly protect you from worst-case scenarios. Minimum coverage plans cover three doctor visits or urgent care visits, including outpatient mental health/substance use visits, with no out-of-pocket costs, and free preventive benefits. All other services will be full price but at the negotiated in-network price, until you spend $6,850, after which all in-network services are covered at 100 percent.

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 October or November and runs through December or January (depending on the state you live in), is the only time you can make a change unless you have a qualifying event like 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 which will cost less each month or less when you access services. A certified Health Insurance Expert can help you determine your needs so your plan provides the right amount of coverage for you and your family. Visit DignityHealth.org/enroll/ to get connected to enrollment assistance.