SANTA CRUZ >> A pair of local health care groups have reached an agreement that will ensure patients have access to facilities in Santa Cruz County for years to come.

Dignity Health and the Central California Alliance for Health have signed a three-year contract renewal ensuring that members continue to have access to Dignity Health hospitals and physicians, including at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, through Dec. 31, 2026, according to a Dignity release.

Dignity Health is a member of CommonSpirit Health, which operates 142 hospitals and almost 2,200 care sites across 24 states.

“Dignity Health is grateful to have reached a new agreement with the Alliance that ensures patients will continue to have access to high-quality health services close to home,” said California Region President of CommonSpirit Health Julie Sprengel in the release. “Thank you to the Alliance for their commitment to our partnership and those we collectively serve.”

The contract extension comes after months of negotiations and was reached prior to a March 15 deadline that prevented a lapse in network status for hospitals, providers and the patients they serve. In addition to Dignity Health Dominican Hospital, the new contract also covers Mercy Medical Center Merced, Dignity Health Medical Groups, Mercy Home Care and University Surgical Center, according to the release.

“As a local health plan, the Alliance remains committed to ensuring access to health care for our members, who are among the most vulnerable residents in the counties we serve,” said Michael Schrader, CEO of the Central California Alliance for Health. “Dignity Health has been a longstanding partner in serving our communities’ health needs, and we are pleased that our shared vision of maintaining access to care remains.”

The Central California Alliance for Health, a nonprofit health plan established in 1996, serves more than 456,000 members in Mariposa, Merced, Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties. Members with questions can call its member services team from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays at 800-700-3874.