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Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to your billing, insurance and financial assistance questions

You may have questions about your bill, insurance coverage or eligibility for financial assistance, and we are here to help. Below you will find answers to commonly asked questions about billing, insurance and financial assistance at MultiCare.

Billing

Can I pay my bill online?

Yes. You may pay your bill online as a guest using MyChart. If you have an existing MyChart account, please log in to pay your bill. Please note: MyChart is currently not available for MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital.

How do I read my MultiCare billing statement?

If your statement is from a MultiCare hospital visit, clinic, outpatient center or doctor office, this document should help guide you through your statement.

Who do I call if I have questions about my bill?

If you have questions regarding your bill, our billing experts are here to assist you. Please call 800-919-1936. We are available Monday – Friday, 7:30am to 5pm.

For MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital billing, please contact: 509-746-3450.

Can I get a price estimate for medical services?

If you would like to be contacted to discuss pricing for a specific procedure, please provide your name and the best phone number for calling you directly using this form. We will call you to collect the additional information we need to provide you with pricing information. This will allow us to give you the most accurate information, while also protecting your privacy online.

Is there a tool to help me estimate my costs?

Yes. MultiCare provides a cost estimator tool to help you understand pricing before you undergo a procedure, surgery or hospital stay.

Where can I find a comprehensive list of hospital charges?

At MultiCare, we are committed to helping you have access to as much information as possible to help you plan for the costs of hospital care. You can find MultiCare’s pricing for hospital-based services and procedures by visiting our Price Transparency page.

Why do I get separate bills from facilities and doctors?

Nearly all MultiCare services will be on a single billing statement. However, during your stay at a MultiCare facility, you may receive services from physicians or other health care professionals with whom MultiCare has contracted to provide services. These physician or professional groups are separate businesses and generally do their own billing.

In addition, a number of our clinics and other facilities where you receive care are classified as hospital-based clinics. Patients may incur additional out-of-pocket expenses at a hospital-based clinic, because a clinical service at a hospital-based clinic may be billed as an outpatient hospital service — in addition to the bill for the professional service (i.e., the bill from your doctor).

If you were transported by ambulance or helicopter, you may receive a separate bill from the medical transport company.

Learn more about others who may send you a bill.

Will I be billed for sending messages in MyChart?

Beginning July 1, 2024, MultiCare will begin to bill insurance for messages that require more than five minutes of clinical time and medical expertise to answer. While most message responses will remain free, some may be billed to your insurance. Learn more about MyChart Messaging including the types of messages that may be billed and a breakdown of costs by insurance type.

What is the No Surprises Act?

The No Surprises Act protects you from “surprise billing” or “balance billing” if you receive emergency care or are treated at an in-network hospital or outpatient surgical facility. Insurers are required to tell you — via their websites or on request — which providers, hospitals and facilities are in their networks. And hospitals, surgical facilities and providers must share via their website or on request which provider networks they participate in.

Learn more about the No Surprises Act.

Are there payment plans available?

CarePayment is an interest-free, long-term patient financing program that allows patients to pay off medical bills in affordable, monthly payments over an extended period of time with a 0.00% APR. CarePayment is not a credit card and is not a collection agency. There is no application required and no impact to your credit score.

To receive the information you need to enroll, fill out the CarePayment form to submit an inquiry.

For MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital payment plans, please call: 509-575-8255.

Insurance

Is my insurance accepted at MultiCare?

There are three ways to find out if MultiCare accepts your insurance:

  • Visit our accepted insurance page to check if your insurance is on the list
  • When you call to schedule your visit, ask the scheduler if your insurance is accepted
  • Ask your insurance company if services are covered at MultiCare

What if I don’t have insurance?

Patient financial navigators are available to help you determine if you are eligible for coverage through a variety of sources, including:

  • State and federal resources, like Medicaid
  • Other coverage sources such as COBRA, worker’s compensation, victims of crime or a third party (e.g., auto insurance)
  • The health benefit exchange
  • Drug/supply assistance programs
  • Community assistance programs
  • Financial assistance

Financial Assistance

Does MultiCare offer financial assistance?

Financial Assistance is available to eligible patients. Eligibility is based on family income and number of family members in the household, among other factors.

If you believe you may be eligible for Financial Assistance, please call 800-919-1936.

Our financial assistance application, which includes proof of income instructions, is available to download in several languages.

What if I cannot pay my bill?

We feel that our patients have the right to be fully informed of their estimated out-of-pocket cost of care as soon as we are able to provide the information. For a patient who may have difficulties with payment for any portion of care, patient financial navigators are available to help you understand your insurance and discuss options for payment, including:

  • Payment plans – Patients can pay for services over a period of time, based on financial need
  • Financial assistance – This is a program for patients who are not eligible for state/federal assistance, yet do not have adequate financial resources. You must submit an application and supporting documents for review and approval to determine if you are eligible for financial assistance. Applications are available from patient financial navigators and registration staff. Please ask to speak to them at the time of service.

If I have health insurance, can I still apply for financial assistance?

Yes, we accept financial assistance applications from any patient who has an account balance with us related to medically necessary services.

Why do I have to reapply for financial assistance every 180 days?

Income, employment and family situations can change. We want to ensure that we provide the correct level of financial assistance to those who need it.

The application asks me to list my family members. Can I include my full-time student who I no longer claim on my income tax return?

You can include all family members who live in your home. If your child who is a full-time student still lives with you, you may list them. Please remember to also include their income information.

Will this cover my bill for services outside of MultiCare?

No. Financial assistance through MultiCare is only available for patients seen at one of our hospitals or doctor’s offices.

I was approved for financial assistance earlier in the year and was awarded a percentage no longer listed on the new MultiCare discount grid. Is my approval still valid?

Yes, any approval granted prior to the change will be honored until it expires.

How do I submit the financial assistance form?

Please submit completed financial assistance application forms using ONE of the following methods:

  • Mail to:
    P.O. BOX 5299
    Mail Stop: 1002-1-PFN
    Tacoma, WA 98415-0299
  • Fax to: 253-864-4017
  • Online via MyChart (Please note: MyChart is currently not available for MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital)
  • In person. Take a printed copy of your completed financial assistance application to the Admitting Desk at any of our main hospitals or medical centers, where a financial navigator will help you file it.

Can I submit proof of income documents for my application online?

Yes, these documents may be submitted securely through MyChart. Please note: MyChart is currently not available for MultiCare Yakima Memorial Hospital.

Are there service locations no longer covered under MultiCare's financial assistance program?

As of March 1, 2018, care provided at the following MultiCare locations is no longer covered under MultiCare’s financial assistance program:

  • MultiCare Indigo Urgent Care
  • MultiCare Urgent Care Clinics
  • MultiCare Rockwood Urgent Care Clinics
  • MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Urgent Care Clinics

Please review our complete financial assistance policies for a full list of services not covered under our financial assistance program.

Contact Us

If you have billing questions, we are available to help Monday – Friday, 7:30am – 5pm. Please call 800-919-1936.

To reach a patient financial navigator, please call 833-936-0515.

Financial Assistance

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