SANTA CRUZ — Dominican Hospital has joined Sutter Health Plus network, health care system Dignity Health announced Wednesday.
An affiliate of Sutter Health, the not-for-profit HMO offers comprehensive health care coverage to employers and consumers in Sacramento, the Bay Area and San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. Sutter Health Plus provides coverage to individuals and employer groups in northern California for hospitalization, outpatient services, prescription drug coverage and more.
Dominican Hospital’s inclusion in the network became effective Jan. 1, according to a Dignity Health press release. In Santa Cruz County, members of the Sutter Health Plus network include all Palo Alto Medical Foundation care centers, Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center and Watsonville Community Hospital.
“Having the two of us together serving the community is going to be a really positive statement,” said Rob Carnaroli, vice president of sales at Sutter Health Plus.
This agreement gives the Santa Cruz community increased access and increased choice of care, said Sy Neilson, senior director of Communications & Marketing at Sutter Health. To qualify for coverage, Sutter Health Plus members must live or work in the Sutter Health Plus service area, he said.
“Dignity Health and Sutter Health have been longtime partners providing care to Santa Cruz County residents,” said Dr. Todd Strumwasser, president of Dignity Health’s Northern California Division, in the release. “As part of the Sutter Health Plus network, we’re pleased to offer increased access to the county’s full-service, nationally recognized hospital.”
Dominican Hospital, at 1555 Soquel Drive in Santa Cruz, is the third Dignity Health facility in the Sutter Health Plus network, joining St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton and Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City. In addition to Sutter Health Plus, the hospital accepts Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, HealthNet, Aetna and other health insurances.
“We’re excited to add Dominican Hospital to our network,” said Brian Fellner, Sutter Health Plus CEO, in the release. “Our members are at the center of everything we do, and Dominican Hospital will offer members who live or work in Santa Cruz more choice and increased access to high-quality, affordable care.”
The Sutter Health Plus network includes 30 hospitals and acute care facilities, 8,000 health care providers and dozens of urgent care and walk-in care centers in California. One of these centers is the Sutter Walk-In Care, 26 Rancho Del Mar in Aptos, which opened in June 2019. It is the first Sutter Walk-In Care in the county.
Dignity Health Dominican Hospital began serving the local community 75 years ago. Its services consist of the only full-service cancer center in the county, robotic surgery, a total joint replacement program, advanced neurological and endoscopic services and an experienced heart and vascular team.
