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Financial Services

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(360) 678-7656 ext. 4097

billingquestions@whidbeyhealth.org

Our goal is to answer your billing and insurance questions with transparency and accuracy.

The Patient Financial Services team is available to work one-on-one with you to coordinate financial agreements before, during and after any procedure. You also have the convenient and secure option of paying your account balance online using our online bill-pay system, 24/7.

Whether dealing with an unexpected visit or preparing for a planned procedure, the costs involved with hospital visits can be confusing and overwhelming. Our goal is to help you understand your bill and to assist you with making payments easily.

Below are tools, resources and guidance to navigate the process, know what to expect, and the potential cost so you can avoid surprises. Our online bill payment system makes it easy to manage your expenses and our Patient Finance team is available to answer questions.

Health Insurance

WhidbeyHealth accepts most health insurances – view current list of contracted/in-network insurance payers. Please contact your insurance provider directly if you have questions.

Want to learn more about Medicare Advantage? Check out this brochure from the Washington State Hospital Association, which outlines the differences between Medicare plans and provides a list of things to think about before making a switch.

NOTE: Walk-In Clinic visits are billed as office visits, not Emergency Department or Urgent Care services.

Whenever possible, contact your insurance company prior to seeking medical care. Ask your insurance company to:

  • Verify whether pre-authorization is needed for the service you are to receive and whether authorization has been obtained by the service provider.
  • Confirm your co-payment responsibility. Some services, such as Rehabilitation, may require a co-payment for each visit.
  • Confirm that WhidbeyHealth is a participating provider for your plan. This can make a difference in how the insurance company pays your bill. WhidbeyHealth is a Preferred Provider for many insurance companies.

Whenever you have a life-threatening emergency, you should seek appropriate care immediately. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the emergency.

Your Rights and Protections Against Surprise Medical Bills and Balance Billing

Washington Balance Billing Protection Act

Beginning January 1, 2020, Washington state law 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.

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Federal No Surprises Act

As of January 1, 2022, consumers have new billing protections when getting emergency care, non-emergency care from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, and air ambulance services from out-of-network providers. Through new rules aimed to protect consumers, excessive out-of-pocket costs are restricted, and emergency services must continue to be covered without any prior authorization, and regardless of whether or not a provider or facility is in-network.

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Financial Services

Financial Assistance

WhidbeyHealth is committed to ensuring our patients get the hospital care they need regardless of ability to pay for that care. You may qualify for free or discounted care based on family size and income, even if you have health insurance. When possible, we encourage you to ask for financial help before receiving medical treatment.

View the full Financial Assistance/Charity Care Policy.

What Is Covered? For emergency and other appropriate hospital-based services, we provide free care and financial assistance/charity care to eligible patients on a sliding-scale basis, with discounts ranging from 50 to 100 percent.

How to Apply: Any patient may apply to receive financial assistance/charity care by submitting an application and providing supporting documentation.

If English is Not Your First Language: Translated versions of the application form are available upon request.

Coverage Assistance: You may be eligible for other government and community programs. We can help you learn whether these programs including Medicaid/Apple Health can help cover your medical bills. We can help you apply for these programs.

Payment Plans: Any balance for amounts owed by you is due within 30 days. The balance can be paid in any of the following ways: Credit card, payment plan, cash, check or online bill pay. If you need a payment plan, please call the number on your billing statement.

Emergency Care: WhidbeyHealth Medical Center has a dedicated emergency department and provides care for emergency medical conditions (as defined by the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act) without discrimination consistent with available capabilities, without regard to whether or not a patient has the ability to pay or is eligible for financial assistance.

Financial Policy

Patients are required to pay balances in accordance with the following guidelines:

  • Physician office and therapy visit co-pays are required on the date of service. Lack of co-pay payments for any visit may result in rescheduling of the service.
  • Payments may be made using cash, check, or credit card (Mastercard, Visa or Discover are accepted).
  • Extended payment plans are available upon approval with a maximum extension of twelve (12) months and a minimum payment of $50 per month.
  • Delinquent accounts will be referred to a collection agency at which time additional fees will be assessed.

If you are unable to meet these terms, or need help paying your bill, financial assistance is available to those who qualify.

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Additional Financial Resources

Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors
A free, unbiased and confidential service of the Washington state Office of the Insurance Commissioner, SHIBA volunteers help people of all ages and backgrounds with their Medicare questions and options.

No Surprises Act Fact Sheets
How do I read my medical bill?
What is a good faith estimate?
Health insurance terms you should know
Health care notice & consent form – what to know before you sign

Need Health Insurance?
If you do not currently have health insurance, we are happy to work with you to find a plan that meets your needs. To get started, review the Washington Health Plan Finder or download their mobile app.

Tips on Healthcare Finances
Avoiding Surprises in Your Medical Bills – English
Avoiding Surprises in Your Medical Bills – Spanish

Consumer Guide to Healthcare Prices – English
Consumer Guide to Healthcare Prices – Spanish

Community Connection

As a Public Hospital District, WhidbeyHealth is owned by the taxpayers of Whidbey Island, and we are committed to providing local access to quality health care.

Comprehensive Care

WhidbeyHealth offers a broad range of flexible, patient-centric care in more than 25 service areas with convenient locations across the entire island from Oak Harbor to Clinton.

Close to Home

An exceptional team supports a broad range of inpatient and outpatient services so our community doesn’t have to travel off-island for many of their healthcare needs.

Understanding Your Medical Bill

WhidbeyHealth and the Washington State Hospital Association want to help you become an informed health care consumer, and a part of that is helping you understand your hospital bill.

Health care billing, including hospital billing, is complicated. Although everyone is charged the same, different insurance plans may mean that patients are responsible for paying different amounts for the service.

That’s why it’s critical to be sure you have given the right insurance information to the hospital. If you get follow up questions from either your plan or your health care provider, respond as quickly as possible.

Download our "Understanding Your Medical Bill" brochure

FAQs

How much do I really owe?

After your insurance company has reviewed your medical bill and paid or denied their portion, the hospital will bill you for your part of the bill. Most insurance plans require patients to pay part of their medical bill. It may take the hospital several months to determine your portion of the charges. If you have any questions about your insurance, please contact your insurance company.

Who will bill my insurance?

If you have given us the correct insurance information, the hospital will be able to bill your insurance company directly.

What if I cannot pay?

We know that an unexpected hospital stay can be a big burden on a family. There are several ways hospitals can help you with your bill, but the first step is to contact the billing office which can work with you on your options. Those options include: Hospital Financial Assistance, Payment Plans, and/or WAHealthPlanFinder.org.

Why does medical care cost so much?

Hospitals are complex organizations that have to be prepared to respond to any emergency, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This means having a well-trained and experienced staff ready to work at all times; it also means having the technology, building, safety equipment, utilities, and back-up utilities to respond to any disaster. Emergency Departments in particular have to be ready to provide complete complex care at a moment’s notice, but there are alternatives: Download the Emergency Room Patient Education Brochure.

Another factor is that hospitals care for patient even when they can’t pay. Hospitals must provide stabilizing treatment to any person who comes to the emergency room for care. This is the right thing to do, but the cost is shared by all patients.

Why did I receive a separate lab, doctor or ambulance bill?

Many doctors, ambulance companies, and labs are separate businesses with their own billing and account procedures. Hospitals generally give the patient insurance billing information to the other providers, but do not perform the billing for them.

Why did I receive a bill from a doctor I did not see?

The hospital sends lab tests and x-rays to specialized doctors for their expert review, and you will receive a bill directly from those doctors for their work.

What if my hospitalization is the result of an accident?

If you had a non-work related accident, we will ask you for information about other insurance, like car insurance. If your accident or illness is work-related, we will bill your employer’s worker’s compensation program. you must fill out the paperwork they need.

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