Frequently Asked Questions

A patient can apply for financial assistance at any point in their care journey with Providence. You can apply if you need help with medical bills you've already received or in anticipation of scheduled care.

Also, if you've been approved for financial assistance within the last 6 months, you don't need to reapply to get support for additional care. Just call us to discuss how we can extend your approval timeline. We want you to be able to focus on your health.

Absolutely. We know that even patients with health insurance can be left with out-of-pocket costs. We encourage you to check your eligibility for financial assistance and consider applying. Most patients who apply for financial assistance receive support and have some or all of their bills covered.

If you don’t have insurance, ask a financial counselor for help finding an affordable plan and getting enrolled.

You’ll need to include the following information with your application—it’s an industry standard to require this information to receive financial aid of any kind. If you don’t provide all of it, there may be a delay in processing your application. We understand this is sensitive information, and it is kept confidential.

Copies of the most recent income information for each person in the household such as pay stubs, Social Security, unemployment, retirement, pensions, etc. If you’re self-employed, please provide a 90-day profit and loss statement.

If the household is receiving financial support from family or friends, provide a letter detailing that support. If there is no income to report, please provide a letter of explanation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including but not limited to bank statements.

Note that you do not need a Social Security number to apply or qualify for financial assistance.

Your eligibility for financial assistance is based on your family size and income, and by your state’s eligibility requirements. We accept many kinds of documents as proof of income, such as last year’s tax returns, W-2 forms, paycheck stubs or even a letter from your employer.

If you're unemployed, you can submit proof or denial of unemployment benefits. If you're unable to provide proof of income or if you don’t have permanent housing, you can submit a letter explaining your income and living situation. We take everyone’s life circumstances into account when determining eligibility.

We understand it can feel like a lot of paperwork, but the information you provide is important. It helps us understand how we might support you better.

We ask for your contact information so we can provide a response, and we ask for your employment status so we know what documentation is needed. Need-based assistance is based on family size and income. That information helps determine what assistance we can offer. Occasionally we will review your monthly expenses to understand your financial situation better, which could include a mortgage, student loans or car financing, as well as other debt.

If you're unemployed, you can submit proof or denial of unemployment benefits. If you're unable to provide proof of income, or if you don’t have permanent housing, you can submit a letter explaining your income and living situation.

Though we’re exploring ways to make it easier for patients to check on the status of their financial assistance application, for now you’ll need to call us. It usually takes us 30 days (14 days in Washington) to process financial assistance applications. Then we’ll send a letter letting you know if you qualify for help and how much. We'll also let you know if additional information is needed to make a decision.

Call 855-229-6466 for help with financial assistance. We’re available Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PT. Or, request an in-person appointment.

Whether you’re insured or not, you can expect a bill from us within 30 days.

Because facilities, physicians and caregivers and medical equipment can be billed separately, you may receive more than one bill per visit. For example, you may be billed separately by each physician (e.g., surgeon, anesthesiologist, radiologist, pathologist, intensivist or hospitalist) involved in providing or reviewing your care.

Itemized bills are not routinely sent; however, you may request one at any time by calling your hospital’s patient financial services department. Visit the Contact Resources page and enter your state to find your local hospital’s contact information.

If you wish to discuss concerns about your bill, call the patient billing office at 800-378-4189, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or any of the phone numbers listed on the front of your bill.

Or you can notify us in writing if you think your bill is inaccurate. Written disputes should be mailed directly to your hospital at the address listed on the front of your bill. Please include:

• Your name and account number
• The charge you feel may be inaccurate
• An explanation of why you believe the bill is in error 

After we receive your written concerns, we will:

• Acknowledge receipt of your letter within 30 days
• Pause all formal collection attempts until we have responded to your concern
• Respond to you or explain the delay within 60 days of receipt of your letter
• Correct your bill, if an error is verified 

As part of our normal billing process, we make several attempts to contact and inform you of your bill and financial assistance options. You may receive notice from a collection agency if, after repeated attempts to contact you, we have not heard from you, you have not applied for financial assistance or if we receive returned mail. 

Learn more about our bad debt collection policy

Your billing statement may look different for various reasons. This could be due to changes in your health insurance coverage, updates in billing systems or adjustments made to reflect any discounts or financial assistance applied. It's also possible that the billing statement displays information from more than one visit if you've had multiple hospital stays or medical appointments during the billing period.

We’re here to help. If you are unable to pay for some or all of your medical care, you may be eligible for Providence’s financial assistance program. This program provides free or discounted services to eligible patients.

Our financial counselors can also assist you in applying for many government programs that can help with the costs of care. And we offer interest-free, long-term payment plans starting at $25 a month and lasting up to 24 months.

Please note that if you have not yet received a bill, you will not be able to set up a payment plan. If you’ve received a bill and would like to set up a payment plan, visit our payment plan page to get started. However, financial assistance applications can be filled out at any time before, during or after you receive care.

We offer a 10% pre-pay discount if you pay an estimate on or before your day of care. Self-pay discounts for people not billing insurance are also available.

We understand that medical expenses can be challenging to manage. Providence offers a financial assistance program to eligible individuals, providing discounts based on their income and financial situation. To learn more about our financial assistance program and how to apply, please visit the financial assistance page.

You may receive several documents as part of a normal billing cycle. These include:

• Estimates - Before certain tests, procedures, or other health care services, self-pay and out-of-network patients get an estimate that outlines their out-of-pocket costs. It’s not a bill or a request for payment. As this is an estimate, final costs might end up being higher or lower.
• Explanation of Benefits (EOB) - Health insurance companies generate an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) each time they process a medical claim. The EOB isn’t a bill either—it simply lists the claims, how much is covered by health insurance, and any balances the patient may be responsible for paying.
• Bill - Finally, the bill states the amount a patient owes members of the care team, including the physicians or hospital. It includes a detailed description of the services provided for that visit.

In each state, laws exist to help protect you from unfair medical billing. The federal No Surprises Act also helps to prevent unexpected bills, facilitates cost estimates and limits charges from out-of-network providers.

To learn more about your right to a Good Faith Estimate and pricing transparency, visit Good Faith Estimate.

Providence determines your bill based on several factors, including the costs associated with the following:

• Specific medical services, treatments and procedures you receive
• Duration of your hospital stay
• Complexity of your condition
• Medications administered

Additionally, the bill may also take into account your insurance coverage, applicable discounts, financial assistance and any outstanding balances from previous visits. Your financial responsibility will be determined based on your insurance plan's coverage.

The billing process is transparent, and you can inquire about the details of your bill by contacting Providence's billing department or by requesting an itemized statement.

Price transparency is our commitment to offering a clear and accessible breakdown of health care service costs, charges and associated fees for common procedures, tests, medications and other services offered by the hospital. This information helps our patients make more informed decisions about their treatment options and explore potential alternatives.

Here's how you can get a better sense of what your care could cost:

• Get a free price estimate on the Get a Price Estimate page
• Learn more about pricing transparency options on the Pricing Transparency page, where you can select a region to download a hospital's file of its standard charges.

For more information about getting help with your Providence medical bill you can visit the contact resources directory, request an appointment with a financial counselor, or visit a billing office at your local Providence facility. 

Providence has options to make care more affordable for our patients. In addition to financial assistance, which can reduce or eliminate costs for those in need, we offer:

• Generous interest-free, long-term payment plan options
• Assistance in applying for financial assistance and medical coverage, including COBRA, Medicare, Medicaid and coverage through the state or federal marketplace.

Providence's financial assistance works in conjunction with Medicare and Medicaid to provide support to eligible individuals. If you’re covered by Medicare or Medicaid, Providence can evaluate your financial situation and determine if you qualify for additional assistance beyond what your government-sponsored health insurance provides. This additional aid may cover services or costs not fully covered by Medicare or Medicaid, ensuring that those eligible receive the necessary care without financial burden.

Yes. Our counselors are knowledgeable about various assistance programs and can guide you through the application process for Medicare and Medicaid, ensuring that you have the necessary support to access the health care services you need. They can answer your questions, assist with paperwork and provide guidance to help you navigate these government-sponsored health insurance programs. If you’re eligible for these programs, our financial counselors will work with you to ensure you receive the appropriate benefits and health care coverage.

Just like most insurances, your Medicaid coverage may need to be renewed on a yearly basis depending on your individual circumstances and the state in which you reside. Renewing your Medicaid eligibility is necessary to ensure that you continue to have access to health care services, including doctor visits, hospitalizations and prescription drugs. If you don’t renew your Medicaid eligibility, you may lose your coverage and miss out on the care that you need.

Yes. You can meet with a financial counselor at the Providence hospital closest to you or request an appointment with a counselor.

If you visit your state’s Medicaid website and follow the instructions provided, you may be able to renew your eligibility by phone, mail or in-person at your local Medicaid office. You’ll need to provide updated income and household information when renewing your eligibility, as well as proof of income, such as pay stubs or tax returns.

Call 855-229-6466 for help with financial assistance. We’re available Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. PST. Or request an in-person appointment near you.

Use our self-service price estimator to determine out-of-pocket cost estimates tailored to your insurance coverage and preferred Providence hospital. You can search as a guest or save time by signing in to your MyChart account and using your insurance information on file. You can also call our dedicated team to get an estimate. Estimates are printable or can be emailed.

Using the estimator tool is one way you can get a better and faster understanding of your out-of-pocket costs on the front end and reduce surprises on the back end. You don’t have to have health care insurance to use this tool. Patients without insurance can also get an estimate of their discounted cost.

Our online price estimator that generates personalized estimates tailored to patients’ coverage and choice of hospital. This information is available at any time, so that our patients can shop around and compare prices.

We encourage you to speak with your provider to get a full picture of your treatment plan and what it may cost.

As you consider medical tests or procedures, you’re probably wondering about the cost. Getting a cost estimate can help you prepare.

Providence offers two ways to get estimates for your care. 

1. You can use our online estimate tool to assess the costs of your treatment.
   Get an estimate here
2. You can also reach out to our price transparency team to request an estimate. 

If you are getting care in Washington, Oregon, Montana, New Mexico or Alaska:
Call 855-367-1339 or email PHS.PriceEstimates@providence.org

If you are getting care in California:
Call 855-415-6179 or email CAPriceEstimates@providence.org

If you are getting care at Grace in Texas:
Call 806-725-8600

If you are getting care at Covenant in Texas:
Call 806-725-5016

Be sure to provide your local price transparency team:

• The name of the facility you will be going to
• Your insurance plan and member ID number or self-pay status
• The CPT code or codes for the appointments, tests, or procedures you need the estimate for (your physician’s office and care team can provide you with these)
• The date of your appointment, if it’s already scheduled

Your personalized estimate is based on the insurance coverage you had at the time you used the online price estimator. Your estimate may not reflect limitations or exclusions that are part of your plan coverage. The type of insurance coverage you have and the services you actually receive from a hospital can make a difference in your out-of-pocket costs.

It’s also important to know that estimates are not a guarantee of what you will pay and won’t reflect your insurance eligibility or coverage. We encourage our patients to speak with their providers and health plan to get a full picture of their treatment plan and what they will pay.

Please don’t let the estimated costs keep you from getting the care you need. A financial counselor can help you apply for financial assistance to help cover some or all of the costs. They’ll work with any Providence patient who needs help paying medical bills.

One more thing — you may qualify for a prepay discount of 10% when you pay the estimate in full at or before your appointment.  Reach out to our billing office to learn how.

When you receive an estimate from Providence or a final bill from your doctor, hospital, or other health care provider, you may see some services classified using a system of codes. These codes are how your doctor, hospital, or health care providers document and get paid for the health care they give.

As soon as you receive care from a health care provider, they document those services with a standard set of medical codes. A CPT code, or Current Procedural Terminology code, is a standardized code used in the medical industry to describe specific medical procedures and services. Each medical procedure has a unique CPT code assigned to it, which helps health care providers communicate with insurance companies about the services rendered. Having the correct CPT codes on your bills and claims is crucial for accurate billing and insurance processing.

If you need more information about CPT codes or have specific questions related to billing and coding, please call 855-229-6466 to request an appointment with a financial counselor or visit a billing office at your local Providence facility.

Call 855-229-6466 for help with financial assistance. We’re available Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. PST. Or request an in-person appointment near you.

We are committed to providing high-quality, compassionate health care to all patients, regardless of coverage ability to pay. If you don’t have health insurance and are concerned that you won’t be able to pay your medical bills, let us know so that we can help. You may qualify for our financial assistance program, which can cover some or all the costs of care for those in need.

Yes, if possible, we highly recommend contacting your health insurance provider before your hospital visit. This is important to ensure that Providence facilities and affiliates are in-network with your specific insurance plan. In-network providers typically have contracted rates with your insurance provider, which can help minimize your out-of-pocket expenses.

Yes. Please remember to bring your current insurance card with you when you visit our facilities. We’ll need this information to submit a claim to your insurance provider for you.

Yes. Upon receiving payment or denial from your primary insurance provider, we will bill your secondary insurance for any balance. Make sure you provide your secondary insurance card when you visit our facilities.

Health insurance plans and their coverage varies. Please call your health insurance provider, plan administrator or the benefits department of your employer with any questions regarding coverage or prior authorization requirements for your treatment.

Before you receive care, we recommend getting a better understanding of the language that your insurance provider uses. This will help you manage your care and your bills. The more you know, the more you can make the most of your benefits and your health. Please see our Glossary of Insurance Terms to learn more.

Individuals and/or employers frequently change health plans, so we ask for your insurance information every time you visit to ensure that our records are accurate and up to date. This also helps us verify your identity and protect you from potential fraud.

It’s a common question, but the answer is rarely a simple “yes” or “no.” Instead, knowing which providers and facilities are “in-network” and “out-of-network" can save you from paying more than you need to.

When you go to a Providence doctor or hospital, we bill your insurance, and they pay us based on two main factors:

• Our contract with your insurance provider
• Your specific insurance coverage

Providence has contracts to give some insurance companies discounted rates with our network of doctors, hospitals, and other health care providers. Providence is therefore considered in-network for these insurance carriers’ plans.

When patients with in-network plans get care at Providence, we bill their insurance provider at lower rates. The savings trickle down to the patients, reducing the amount they have to pay, too.

Conversely, if we don’t have a contract for discounted rates with an insurance provider, Providence is considered out-of-network for those plans. Getting care from an out-of-network provider usually costs patients more because:

• They don’t get a discounted rate
• Insurance may cover less of the bill

New laws protect patients from surprise out-of-pocket costs for out-of-network emergency care. But for scheduled services, Providence bills out-of-network patients for the difference between what we charge and what insurance is willing to pay.

Contact your insurance provider to understand your benefits and whether a particular provider or care facility is within the network and/or will accept your insurance.

See a full list of questions you might want to ask your insurance provider before your care.

In keeping with our Mission and values, Providence welcomes and cares for all, regardless of coverage or ability to pay. Financial assistance is core to how we support vulnerable patients, as we believe cost should never get in the way of the critical care a patient needs.

Financial assistance can help you if you are uninsured (meaning you don't have health insurance) or are underinsured (meaning the costs of care are a financial burden because you have a high deductible or other out-of-pocket costs).

Our financial counselors can help you:

• Apply for government and community-based assistance 
• Apply for financial assistance and medical coverage
• Get free or low-cost care if you are eligible
• Explore interest-free, long-term payment plan options

Our payment plan terms can be customized to meet your budget, with payments starting as low as $25 per month. We will work with you to find a monthly payment amount and number of months that works best for you.

Payment plans can be set up by navigating to your billing portal. Find your provider’s billing portal.

Or, call us at 855-229-6466, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PT.

No, we do not charge you interest; our payment plans are interest-free.

Yes, your payment information is stored securely and your personal data is protected. We keep your information confidential.

You have the option to include future bills in your monthly plan. You can make this selection when you enroll in the payment plan, or you can contact us to add at a future date.

You can decide to exclude future bills when you create your payment plan. You are in control of what is included in the payment plan.

Providence helps patients who may not have the financial ability to pay all or part of their medical bills. This includes people who don’t have health insurance, as well as those who do have insurance but are unable to pay their out-of-pocket costs. Please call us to speak with a financial counselor, 855-229-6466, Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. PT.

There are no hidden fees. There are no penalties for early payments.

Yes, you can pay more than the monthly payment amount and there are no penalties for early payments or balance pay-off.