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Open Enrollment

In Merced County, it's easy to find health care that helps you be at your best. This Open Enrollment, choose a plan that includes Dignity Health doctors and hospitals.

 

Let's get started

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.

  1. Select an insurance plan accepted by Dignity Health. 
  2. Find a Dignity Health Primary Care Doctor that meets your needs.
  3. Enroll in your chosen plan based on your employer’s instructions. 

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.

I have health insurance through my employer

This Open Enrollment, be sure the health plan you choose includes Dignity Health. Ask your HR Benefits Manager or click below to learn more.

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I buy my own insurance

Get health coverage for your whole family through the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Click below to learn about available options.

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I am eligible for Medicare

Considering a Medicare Advantage plan? Click below or contact your current broker or licensed insurance agent for more information.

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How to enroll

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.

  1. Select an insurance plan accepted by Dignity Health. 
  2. Find a Dignity Health Primary Care Doctor that meets your needs.
  3. Enroll in your chosen plan based on your employer’s instructions. 

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 verify if with the insurance plan your doctor is in network.

 

Why Dignity Health

Dignity Health has been providing compassionate, comprehensive and nationally recognized health care to Merced County for generations. 

Choosing a health insurance plan that connects you to Dignity Health means you’ll have access to over 1,000 primary and specialty care providers across hundreds of locations through our affiliated medical groups.

In addition, selecting a health plan that includes the Dignity Health network provides you with access to other health care services.

With Mercy Medical Center in the area, we offer quality care for stroke and interventional cardiovascular programs, 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. 

 

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Tips for navigating Open Enrollment

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.

 

Frequently asked questions

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

You may check with the health plan(s) to determine if the hospital(s) or doctor(s) are in-network with the health plan. If you need a primary care physician (PCP) or are looking for a specialist, we can help.

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.