Insurance Information and Resources

Statewide Health Insurance Advisers

The mission of Sound Generations is to assist and educate people of all ages so they can make informed insurance decisions. Sound Generations helps individuals understand the basics of Medicare, long-term care and related insurance, plan for retirement, process medical billings, claims and appeals and understand health care reform. Sound Generations assistance is available to anyone, free of charge. For more information visit the Sound Generations website.

Insurance Information

Balance Billing Protection Act - Beginning 01/01/2020, 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. The Washington State Surprise Billing law (HB 1065) requires healthcare facilities and providers to post a list of the commercial health insurer provider networks in which they participate. If you have any questions regarding your statement and Balance Billing, please contact Patient Financial Services at 360-814-7575.

Click here to learn more about your rights under the Balance Billing Protection Act.

Skagit Regional Health contracts with the following insurance plans:

Aetna Commercial
Amerigroup - Apple Health
BCE Emergis
Bridgespan
Cigna - Commercial
Coastal - Multiplan
CHAMPVA
Community Health Plan of Washington - Apple Health
Coordinated Care - Apple Health
Dept of Health HIV Early Intervention Program
DSHS
Labor and Industries (Workers' Compensation)
First Choice Health Plan
First Health Network
Great West Healthcare
Kaiser (Formerly Group Health) - Commercial
Hanford Energy Services
Humana - Veterans
Humana - Commercial
Indian Health Services
Medicaid/Health Care Authority
Medicare/CMS
Molina - Apple Health
Northwest One - Interplan
Premera Blue Cross - Commercial
Private Healthcare Systems, Inc
QTC Medical Group - VA
Regence Blue Shield - Commercial
TriCare - Health Net Federal Services
Uniform Medical Plan (Washington State Health Care Authority, administered by Regence)
United Health Care - Commercial
Veterans Administration

Medicare

We gladly accept traditional Medicare. We also accept these Medicare Advantage plans in 2023:

Traditional Medicare
Community Health First (Community Health Plan of WA) [HMO]
Kaiser Permanente (Formerly Group Health) [HMO]
Humana Choice [PPO]
Humana Gold [HMO]
Premera [HMO]
Regence [HMO/PPO]
United Healthcare [HMO/PPO]

Skagit Regional Health accepts a wide variety of Medicare insurance plans and our multi-specialty network of clinics, with over 150 providers across Skagit, Island and north Snohomish counties, has openings for new Medicare patients as well. We accept all Medicare Supplements, all company-sponsored Medicare plans that are provided by a patient’s current or former employer, as well as a variety of Medicare Advantage plans.

Medicare patients often ask us if we prefer one form of Medicare insurance over another. While we do gladly accept the Medicare Advantage plans listed above, Skagit Regional Health considers traditional Medicare, in conjunction with a Medicare supplement, to be the preferred choice of Medicare coverage for our patients. Patients often find they have more flexibility to travel and seek care from providers or facilities who may not participate in a given managed care network. In addition, the administrative expenses associated with traditional Medicare and Medicare Supplements are much lower than other plans.

We understand how complex and confusing Medicare can be. There are so many different types of Medicare insurance available, and health care providers do not accept all forms of Medicare insurance. For these reasons, Skagit Regional Health recommends the services of our Medicare Insurance Helpline.

Skagit Regional Health Medicare Insurance Helpline

Toll-Free 1-866-389-0445
www.MedicareCompareUSA.com/Skagit
(Serviced by MedicareCompare USA)

The Medicare Insurance Helpline is a free service to Skagit Regional Health patients, and is serviced by MedicareCompareUSA, an independent Medicare-Specialty insurance agency. MedicareCompareUSA represents each of the Medicare plans accepted by our organization, and their Insurance Specialists are extensively trained to assist our patients in the process of matching up Medicare plans to the specific needs, preferences and budget of the patient. When calling the Medicare Insurance Helpline, patients can expect to receive personalized service, unbiased guidance and information, easy to understand answers to Medicare-related questions, and no pressure or obligation to purchase insurance. We also want to stress that Medicare patients are free to contact our Medicare plans directly, work with any licensed Medicare agent, or obtain information by going direct to Medicare (1-800-MEDICARE or www.medicare.gov).

Health Benefit Exchange - Washington Healthplanfinder

Since Jan. 1, 2014, the Affordable Care Act has required everyone to have health insurance. The goal is to make coverage more accessible and affordable for those who do not have health insurance or have limited coverage.

In Washington state, Medicaid eligibility will expand to include more adults. The state also runs a Health Benefit Exchange, called Washington Healthplanfinder, that will allow individuals and families who do not have employer-sponsored health insurance to enroll in a health plan and receive financial help. Health coverage offered through Washington Healthplanfinder includes Classic Medicaid, an expanded Medicaid program for Washington state called “Apple Health,” and various qualified health insurance plans.

Below is information to help you better understand and make the most of these benefits.

How to enroll:

Online: wahealthplanfinder.org
Call: 1-855-WAFINDER (1-855-923-4633) or TTY/TTD 1-855-627-9604
In person: In-person Assisters (also called Navigators), agents and brokers will be available to help you enroll in coverage on the Health Benefit Exchange.
Skagit Regional Health: In-person Assisters are available at Skagit Valley Hospital and Cascade Valley Hospital. For more information, call 360-424-2613 or email [email protected].