Health Plan of San Joaquin

Protecting your health care access and choice

At Dignity Health, we believe every patient deserves access to high quality, high-value health care from the doctors and nurses they know and trust. We are still working to reach a new agreement with Health Plan of San Joaquin to protect patients and we will continue to update this website to keep our patients informed. Effective July 1, 2024, Dignity Health hospitals and surgery center are no longer considered in-network for the Health Plan of San Joaquin. We will update this website if we are able to come to an agreement with Health Plan of San Joaquin.

What you can do today to protect your health care access and choice:

Call Health Plan of San Joaquin at 1-888-936-7526 and urge them to work with Dignity Health providers on a new agreement.

Consider Continuity of Care: If you are currently in active treatment, have appointments or procedures scheduled, or have been treated by a physician over the last several months, you may qualify for protected in-network access through Continuity of Care benefits. Continuity of Care is a benefit intended to protect patients from having to change providers or having care delayed or disrupted if an agreement between a health plan and provider is terminated. The benefit is a State law, and Health Plan of San Joaquin, like all licensed health plans, must abide by the requirements.
- Health care conditions that may be covered by Continuity of Care include:
  - Acute services needing ongoing treatment, such as chemotherapy, and radiation therapy;
  - Chronic conditions including heart disease, diabetes, orthopedic issues and many others;
  - Maternity-related care;
  - Pediatric care between the ages of birth and 36 months;
  - Services related to a terminal illness;
  - Authorized surgeries and or other procedures scheduled to occur within 180 days of the contract’s termination; or
  - Other services previously authorized by Health Plan of San Joaquin.
- Your Doctor’s office is available to assist with the Continuity of Care process. For questions about Continuity of Care eligibility, benefits, and access to the form, please call Health Plan of San Joaquin at 1-888-936-7526.
For questions about Continuity of Care eligibility, benefits, or access to the form, please call Health Plan of San Joaquin at 1-888-936-7526.

Q&A:

What is happening between Dignity Health and Health Plan of San Joaquin?
Over the last several months, Dignity Health has been negotiating in good faith with Health Plan of San Joaquin to reach a new, responsible contract agreement that puts patients’ needs first and ensures their continued in-network access to Dignity Health providers and services. Our goal in working with Health Plan of San Joaquin is to protect patients’ access to our physicians, hospitals, and other vital health care services while ensuring our ability to continue providing quality services now and in the future.

When would Health Plan of San Joaquin consider Dignity Health providers and services out of network?
If Health Plan of San Joaquin is unwilling to work with Dignity Health, our hospitals and surgery center will no longer be in-network with Health Plan of San Joaquin beginning July 1, 2024.

What happens if no agreement is reached? Will I still be able to receive care from Dignity Health?
Patients with a Continuity of Care authorization from Health Plan of San Joaquin will be able to access care from Dignity Health providers. Other care will be directed to other providers that are contracted with Health Plan of San Joaquin.

In the event of an emergency, you may go to any hospital, regardless of whether the hospital is in your plan’s network, and emergency claims will always be paid in-network.

What is Dignity Health doing to protect patients?
Dignity Health strongly desires to continue caring for patients with Health Plan of San Joaquin insurance. We are negotiating with Health Plan of San Joaquin in good faith, and it is our hope that Health Plan of San Joaquin will agree to a new, responsible contract that puts patients first.

What can patients do to protect care?
Patients can take action today to protect their health care access and choice:

Call Health Plan of San Joaquin at 1-888-936-7526 and urge them to work with Dignity Health doctors and nurses on a new agreement.
Visit www.DignityHealth.org/hpsj to stay updated on our negotiations with Health Plan of San Joaquin.
Consider Continuity of Care: If you are currently in active treatment, have appointments or procedures scheduled, or have been treated by a physician over the last several months, you may qualify for protected in-network access through Continuity of Care benefits. Continuity of Care is a benefit intended to protect patients from having to change providers or having care delayed or disrupted if an agreement between a health plan and provider is terminated. For questions about Continuity of Care eligibility, benefits, or access to the form, please call Health Plan of San Joaquin at 1-888-936-7526.