PeaceHealth Financial Assistance: Free Care Under 300% FPL + 35% Uninsured Discount Across WA, OR, and AK (2026 Guide)
PeaceHealth operates 9 hospitals across Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. They offer 100% free care for households under 300% FPL, discounted care at 301-400% FPL, and a 35% automatic uninsured discount on hospital charges (no application required). PeaceHealth does not sell patient debt, and collection agencies are contractually banned from placing liens or garnishing wages. A $13.4M AG settlement in 2023 reformed their charity care practices, making it easier for patients to access assistance.
Quick Eligibility Snapshot
100% Free Care: Under 300% FPL
Full write-off of eligible charges for households at or below 300% FPL. Family of 4: up to ~$94,350/year (2025 guidelines).
Discounted Care: 301-400% FPL
Patients between 301% and 400% FPL receive discounted care on remaining charges after the uninsured discount is applied.
35% Auto Discount (No Application)
All uninsured patients get 35% off hospital charges and 25% off physician services automatically. No paperwork needed.
9 Hospitals, 3 States
Covers all PeaceHealth facilities in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. Same financial assistance policy system-wide.
Who Qualifies for Financial Assistance?
Two-Tier System: Automatic Discount + Charity Care
- Tier 1 (automatic): All uninsured patients receive a 35% discount off hospital billed charges and 25% off physician services with no application required.
- Tier 2 (application required): Patients at or below 300% FPL qualify for 100% free care; 301-400% FPL qualifies for discounted care on remaining charges.
- Presumptive eligibility: Since 2018, PeaceHealth uses predictive analytics to auto-qualify patients who may be eligible but have not applied.
- Self-attestation accepted: A signed written statement describing your income is valid proof of eligibility. You do not necessarily need tax returns or pay stubs.
- Covers medically necessary services at all PeaceHealth facilities across WA, OR, and AK.
Important: Multi-State System
PeaceHealth operates across three states with different patient protection laws. The financial assistance policy is the same everywhere, but your state-level protections differ significantly. Washington patients benefit from the strongest protections (SB 5480), followed by Oregon (SB 605), then Alaska (3-year SOL).
How to Apply (Step by Step)
Know What You Already Get
If you are uninsured, a 35% discount on hospital charges and 25% on physician services is applied automatically. No action needed. The financial assistance application is for additional reduction or full write-off of remaining charges.
Get the Application
Download from peacehealth.org, request one at any PeaceHealth facility, or call 877-202-3597 (Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5pm Pacific). You can also email financialassistance@peacehealth.org.
Gather Documents (Self-Attestation Accepted)
PeaceHealth accepts a signed written statement describing your income as valid proof. You do not necessarily need tax returns or pay stubs, though providing them can speed up the process.
Submit
Mail to PO Box 748632, Los Angeles, CA 90074-8632, or email financialassistance@peacehealth.org. You can also submit in person at any PeaceHealth facility.
Get a Response Within 14 Days
PeaceHealth is required to notify you within 14 calendar days of receiving your completed application. This is faster than most hospital systems, which often take 30-60 days.
Pro Tips
- Dollar For will help for free: The nonprofit dollarfor.org specifically helps patients at PeaceHealth facilities with FA applications at no cost.
- Self-attestation is your friend: If you lack documentation, write and sign a statement describing your income sources and amounts. PeaceHealth must accept this.
- Presumptive eligibility may already cover you: PeaceHealth has used predictive analytics since 2018 to auto-qualify patients. Check if you were already approved before applying.
- Post-AG settlement improvements: Since the 2023 settlement, PeaceHealth must ask about income at registration. If you were not asked, mention it.
State Protections by Location
PeaceHealth patients benefit from different state-level protections depending on which facility treated them. Here is what applies in each state.
Washington (5 Hospitals) - Strongest Protections
- SB 5480: If a hospital credit-reports charity-care-eligible debt, the debt is VOIDED entirely. This is one of the strongest patient protections in the country.
- Charity care law: Hospitals must screen patients for financial assistance eligibility before pursuing collections.
- Income inquiry at registration: After the $13.4M settlement, PeaceHealth must now ask about income at registration for WA patients.
- 6-year SOL: Statute of limitations on written contracts (medical debt) in Washington.
Oregon (3 Hospitals) - Strong Credit Protections
- SB 605: Bans medical debt from appearing on credit reports. Collectors cannot report medical debt to credit bureaus.
- Hospital financial assistance requirements: Oregon law requires nonprofit hospitals to offer charity care programs.
- 6-year SOL: Statute of limitations on written contracts in Oregon.
Alaska (1 Hospital) - Short Statute of Limitations
- 3-year SOL: Alaska has one of the shortest statutes of limitations for medical debt in the country. After 3 years without payment or lawsuit, the debt is time-barred.
- $67,500 homestead exemption: Your primary home is protected up to this amount from judgment creditors.
- Wage garnishment limits: Creditors can take the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount exceeding 219 times federal minimum wage.
Covered Facilities
PeaceHealth Hospitals (9 Total Across 3 States)
Washington (5 Hospitals)
Oregon (3 Hospitals)
Alaska (1 Hospital)
Collections Policy
Strong Patient Protections (Green Shield)
PeaceHealth does NOT sell patient debt. Collection agencies working on PeaceHealth accounts are contractually prohibited from placing liens on property or garnishing wages. This is one of the strongest collections policies in the Pacific Northwest.
What This Means for You
- No debt sales: Your account will never be sold to a third-party debt buyer who can sue you.
- No liens: Collection agencies cannot place liens on your home or property.
- No wage garnishment: Collection agencies are contractually banned from garnishing wages.
- Interest-free payment plans: Up to 60 months with no interest charges.
$13.4M WA Attorney General Settlement (2023)
In 2023, the Washington Attorney General reached a $13.4 million settlement with PeaceHealth for charity care violations. This is actually good news for current patients because it forced major reforms:
- PeaceHealth must now ask about income at registration
- Improved screening processes to identify eligible patients
- Better training for staff on financial assistance availability
- Refunds and account adjustments for previously affected patients
Already in collections? Read our full 7-step collections playbook for strategies to resolve medical debt, dispute errors, and negotiate settlements.
What If You Are Denied?
1. You Still Get the Uninsured Discount
Even if denied financial assistance, uninsured patients keep the automatic 35% hospital discount and 25% physician discount. Your balance is already reduced.
2. Use Self-Attestation
If denied for missing documents, remember that PeaceHealth accepts a signed written statement describing your income. Write a clear letter stating your income sources and amounts, sign it, and resubmit.
3. Request a Payment Plan
PeaceHealth offers interest-free payment plans up to 60 months. Even if you do not qualify for free care, you can spread payments over 5 years with no interest.
4. Cite the AG Settlement
If you feel PeaceHealth is not properly screening you for assistance, reference the 2023 $13.4M AG settlement. PeaceHealth is now required to proactively ask about income and screen patients. Use this as leverage if you encounter resistance.
5. Get Free Help
- Dollar For (dollarfor.org): Free nonprofit advocacy for PeaceHealth FA applications
- Washington: Northwest Justice Project for free legal help
- Oregon: Oregon Law Center for free legal assistance
- Alaska: Alaska Legal Services Corporation for eligible patients
Let CareRoute Bill Defense Help
If your application was denied or you need help negotiating your PeaceHealth bill, CareRoute Bill Defense can review your case and negotiate on your behalf at no upfront cost.
Get Help with Your BillContact Information
Financial Assistance
Phone: 877-202-3597 (toll-free)
Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5pm Pacific
Email: financialassistance@peacehealth.org
Mail: PO Box 748632, Los Angeles, CA 90074-8632
Key Facts
Response time: 14 calendar days after complete application
Self-attestation: Signed income statement accepted
Payment plans: Up to 60 months, interest-free
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to apply for the uninsured discount?
No. The 35% hospital discount and 25% physician discount are applied automatically to all uninsured patients. No application needed. The financial assistance application is for additional reduction or full write-off beyond these automatic discounts.
What counts as valid income documentation?
PeaceHealth accepts self-attestation, meaning a signed written statement describing your income is valid proof. You can also provide tax returns, pay stubs, or benefit statements, but they are not strictly required.
Can PeaceHealth garnish my wages or put a lien on my home?
PeaceHealth's collection agencies are contractually prohibited from placing liens or garnishing wages. PeaceHealth also does not sell debt to third-party buyers. This applies across all three states (WA, OR, AK).
What was the $13.4M AG settlement about?
In 2023, Washington's Attorney General found that PeaceHealth had not been properly screening patients for charity care eligibility. The $13.4M settlement reformed their practices. PeaceHealth must now ask about income at registration and proactively screen patients. This benefits current patients by making financial assistance easier to access.
How fast will PeaceHealth respond to my application?
PeaceHealth is required to notify you within 14 calendar days of receiving a completed application. This is significantly faster than most hospital systems, which typically take 30-60 days.
Does the same policy apply at all PeaceHealth hospitals?
Yes. The financial assistance policy applies system-wide across all 9 hospitals in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. The eligibility thresholds, application process, and collections protections are the same regardless of which facility treated you.
Related Resources
Washington Medical Bill Rights
SB 5480 voids debt if credit-reported, charity care screening requirements, and more WA protections.
Oregon Medical Bill Rights
SB 605 bans medical debt from credit reports. Complete guide to Oregon patient protections.
Alaska Medical Bill Rights
3-year statute of limitations, homestead exemption, and Alaska-specific patient protections.
All Hospital Financial Assistance Guides
Find guides for 100+ hospital systems nationwide with eligibility details and application tips.
Need Help with Your PeaceHealth Bill?
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Start Your Free Case ReviewThis guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Information is based on publicly available PeaceHealth financial assistance policies and state laws in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska as of 2026. Eligibility requirements, income thresholds, and application processes may change. Always verify current requirements directly with PeaceHealth at peacehealth.org or by calling 877-202-3597.