PARTNERSHIP: DIGNITY 2024

Partnership Health Plan of California’s Medi-Cal contract with Dignity Health has expired without a new contract agreement. Partnership is committed to continuing to negotiate in good faith with Dignity to reach an agreement soon. Dignity has been a valuable partner and Partnership looks forward to having them as a part of the network again.


The expiration of the Dignity contract affects over 64,000 members (primary, specialty, and hospital care) in Nevada, Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, and Yolo counties.


WHAT TO KNOW FOR YOUR PATIENTS:

  • Member Notice:
    •  Partnership mailed 30-day notices to affected members ahead of the contract expiration. Because a new contract was not agreed upon by April 1, 2024, Partnership members assigned to a Dignity PCP will need to select a new PCP
      • Timeline for members selecting a new PCP
        • April 1, 2024 – Members are assigned as direct members and can see any provider in our network willing to bill Partnership for services. Other members have been approved for continuity of care (see Continuity of Care section below for additional information). During this month members are encouraged to pick a new PCP for May 1, 2024.
        • May 1, 2024 – Members who have not selected a new PCP will be auto assigned to a new PCP.
  • All physicians who only have admitting privileges at Dignity hospitals are impacted by the expired contract.
  • Continuity of Care:
    • In some instances, Partnership may be able to arrange for the member and/or their family to continue to see their current Dignity doctor until treatment is completed. However, their doctor must be willing to continue seeing the member and must accept the Partnership rate of payment.
    • Regulations require Dignity to continue to provide care to those who have started receiving care prior contract termination for acute conditions, cancer treatment, pregnancy, and some serious chronic conditions.
    • Continuity of Care concerns will be addressed by Partnership’s Care Coordination Department in collaboration with Dignity to determine a possible length of placement. For Continuity of Care needs, please call Partnership Care Coordination at (800) 809-1350
  • Enhanced Care Management (ECM) / Community Supports (CS):
    • The Dignity contract expiration that occurred on April 1, 2024, does not impact Partnership’s agreements with Dignity for the ECM and/or CS services. These agreements are on separate contracts.
    • Members should continue these services with Dignity, and referrals to Dignity for ECM and/or CS services shall continue as normal.
  • Pregnant members:
    • For members who have an established relationship with a Dignity provider for pregnancy, they can continue to be seen by their Dignity provider and deliver at a Dignity facility.
    • For members who have not yet established care with any provider for prenatal care (Dignity or other) they should connect with an in-network provider for care.
    • In instances of an emergency or rapid onset of concerning symptoms, members who are pregnant shall continue to be directed to their closest emergency department.
    • Per EMTALA law, California hospitals must provide treatment and care to stabilize patients who present to an emergency room or hospital requesting care. This includes a pregnant member who is “having contractions and when there is an inadequate time to complete a safe transfer to another hospital before delivery and/or transfer of the member to an alternative hospital may pose a threat to the health or safety of the member or unborn child.”
  • Medications:
    • Members are encouraged to call the prescribing doctor to request refills during the transition period. If it’s a maintenance medication, they should ask the doctor for up to a one-year refill. For opioids/controlled medications – they should ask the doctor to write out refills for prescriptions with future dates of service (2-3 months). If there are any questions about the medication itself, members may reach out Med-Cal Rx – 1-800-977-2273. In the meantime, members should get established with their new PCP and get medical records transferred so that they can take over the prescribing of medications.
  •  Emergency Care: 
    • Members can still access Dignity Hospitals for life-threatening medical care conditions. Members should go to the nearest hospital or call 911.

If you have any questions, please contact your Provider Relations Representative.


Additional resources:

Provider Relations: (707) 863-4100

Member Services: (707) 863-4120

Utilization Management: (707) 863-6411

Care Coordination: (800) 809-1350