Frequently Asked Financial Assistance Questions

Financial Assistance is the PeaceHealth program that provides emergent, medically necessary and some preventive pre-authorized services at a reduced cost or without charge when payment cannot be obtained through all other available financial resources. It is limited to patients at PeaceHealth facilities.

This program allows us to manage our financial health with our mission of providing care to all in need. It ensures that patients receive fair and equal financial treatment across PeaceHealth.

In the spirit of our core value, Respecting Individual Human Dignity and Worth, PeaceHealth avoids using the term charity, which can carry negative connotations.

Financial Assistance is granted for emergent and/or medically necessary services.

Medically necessary services include care that, in accordance with clinically accepted parameters, is reasonably calculated to:

• Prevent the onset or worsening of an illness, condition, or disability;
• Establish a diagnosis;
• Provide palliative, curative or restorative treatment for physical, behavioral, and/or mental health conditions; and/or
• Assist the individual to achieve or maintain functional capacity in performing daily activities, taking into account both the functional capacity of the individual and those functional capacities that are appropriate for individuals of the same age.
• Each service is performed in accordance with national standards of medical practice generally accepted at the time the services are rendered, and must be sufficient in amount, duration, and scope to reasonably achieve its purpose. Course of treatment may include observation only, or when appropriate, no treatment at all.
• Please note that for any non-urgent future services, a review for medical necessity is required in order to be covered under the Financial Assistance program. Your referring physician will need to submit a request for clinical review to our Referral and Eligibility department prior to any scheduled service.

PeaceHealth Financial Assistance is granted only for financial obligations related to PeaceHealth care. It is not available for the services of physicians or other health care, please contact your provider to see if they offer financial assistance.

Financial Assistance is available in the service area (county or local area) in which a PeaceHealth facility is located.

Patients who live outside PeaceHealth’s county/service area are eligible for Financial Assistance when they need emergent care.

In some cases, exceptions may also be made if medically necessary services are not available in your local area but are able to be provided by PeaceHealth.

Please read how to Request Financial Assistance.

A patient may apply at any time—before, during or after treatment.

Instructions and the application are available on the Financial Assistance page.

All information is kept confidential.

No, the process is the same for both eligibility and approval, regardless of the amount of the patient’s balance.

PeaceHealth will not initiate collection efforts or requests for deposits while an application is being processed.

Each situation will be reviewed independently. These guidelines help determine eligibility:

• annual household income
• number of people in the household

Financial Assistance is granted to all applicants whose Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) falls at or below 400 percent of the current Federal Poverty Levels. Assets are not considered for these applicants.

Written notice of assistance determinations will be mailed within 14 calendar days from receipt of the completed application. The notification includes the level of reduction and payment arrangements consistent with ability to pay. Denials include the reason for denial and instructions for seeking an appeal or a reconsideration.

Financial assistance is not granted for procedures that are not medically necessary. 

Yes, the person responsible for the financial obligation may appeal by submitting additional information to PeaceHealth Revenue Cycle within 30 days of the denial notice.

The Vice-President of the Revenue Cycle or designee has the authority to make the final determination for all appeals.

Brochures are available at all PeaceHealth facilities in areas such as registration, check-in, exam rooms and cashier stations, and from Financial Counseling Services or Customer Service. More information can be found on Request Financial Assistance.

Questions can be sent via My PeaceHealth or by contacting a Customer Service Representatives at 877-202-3597.