As part of its negotiation process, MultiCare Health System (MultiCare) issued a termination notice to Premera Blue Cross, effective May 31, 2026. This termination will impact all commercial plans, along with Premera Blue Cross individual plans. These negotiations do not impact Premera members with Medicare Supplement coverage.

While we are continuing to negotiate to reach an agreement, the contracts MultiCare has chosen to terminate include all MultiCare clinics, hospitals, and all providers, including Yakima Memorial Hospital.  Overlake Hospital is not included in this contract termination.

Our intent with these negotiations is to ensure our members continue to have access to affordable, quality healthcare. As we’ve always said, these negotiations are not about Premera; they are about our customers. We serve as their advocate during these discussions.

Since November 2025, Premera Blue Cross has been working in good faith with MultiCare to renegotiate these contracts. We’re grateful for the patience of our customers as we work hard with our partners at MultiCare to reach a fair agreement.

Will I be charged for getting emergency care at MultiCare if they leave the Premera network?

If we do not reach an agreement by May 31, 2026, you will still be able to get emergency care at MultiCare facilities. Emergency care is always covered at the in-network cost under the federal No Surprises Act. Wherever you receive emergency care, you are protected from surprise (or balance) billing by state and federal law. This means the most the provider or facility may bill you is the plan’s in-network cost-sharing amount (such as copays and coinsurance), and you cannot be billed for any costs above the in-network rate.

What if I have a long-term treatment plan, am scheduled to deliver a baby, or have a chronic medical condition being treated at MultiCare?

If you are receiving treatment for a covered serious, complex, or chronic medical condition at any MultiCare facility, you may qualify for continuity of care benefits. This includes pregnancy, long-term or chronic illness, or a scheduled nonelective surgery. If approved, you can continue your care at MultiCare at the current in-network benefit level for up to 90 days. Contact our customer service team at the number on the back of your Premera health plan ID card for more information about this process.

What happens next?

Through May 31, 2026, regardless of ongoing negotiations, you may still receive care from MultiCare providers and associated facilities on an in-network basis. Beginning June 1, 2026, if a new agreement has not been reached, non-emergency care may not be covered or will cost more out of pocket if you receive care from MultiCare providers and facilities.

What other healthcare options are available in my area? 

For primary care and urgent care, consider options such as:

• Kinwell clinics throughout Washington and Kinwell’s virtual care clinic
• Virtual care providers, such as 98point6 or virtual behavioral health options included with your Premera health plan
• Zoom Urgent Care Clinics

As we continue our efforts to reach an agreement with MultiCare, we are making special arrangements for members of the following networks and counties to receive care at hospitals that would otherwise not be in their network, including the following options:

If you live in Spokane County

For members with the following networks (listed on the front of your Premera health plan ID card):

• Heritage Prime
• Heritage Signature and Dental Choice
• Individual Signature

You can seek care at:

• Providence Holy Family
• Providence Sacred Heart

Premera HMO members and Blue High Performance Network (Blue HPN) members may still be able to use the MultiCare hospitals and clinics in Spokane County as if they were still in your network.

If you live in South King County

For members with the following networks (listed on the front of your Premera health plan ID card):

• Premera HMO

You can seek care at:

• St. Elizabeth Hospital
• St. Francis Community Hospital
• St. Anne Hospital

If you live in Pierce County

For members with the following networks (listed on the front of your Premera health plan ID card):

• Heritage Prime
• Heritage Signature and Dental Choice
• Individual Signature
• Premera HMO

You can seek care at:

• St. Anthony Hospital
• St. Joseph Medical Center
• St. Clare Hospital

Premera HMO members and Blue High Performance Network (Blue HPN) members may still be able to use the MultiCare hospitals and clinics in Pierce County as if they were still in your network.

Premera Individual Signature members may still be able to use Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital as if it was still in your network.

If you live in Thurston or Lewis County

For members with the following networks (listed on the front of your Premera health plan ID card):

• Heritage Prime

You can seek care at:

• Providence St. Peter Hospital
• Providence Centralia Hospital

Premera HMO members, Heritage Prime, and Premera Blue High Performance Network (Blue HPN) members may still be able to use the MultiCare hospitals and clinics in Thurston or Lewis County as if they were still in your network.

If you live in Yakima County

For members with the following networks (listed on the front of your Premera health plan ID card):

• Heritage
• Heritage and Dental Choice
• Heritage Prime
• Heritage Signature and Dental Choice
• Student Insurance
• Individual Signature

You can seek care at:

• Astria Sunnyside
• Astria Toppenish

Premera members may still be able to use the MultiCare hospitals and clinics in Yakima County as if they were still in your network.

If you need more information about doctors in your area, sign into your Premera account and use our Find a Doctor tool or call customer service at the phone number listed on the back of your Premera health plan ID card.

Regardless of where you live in Washington, to get the best results when searching for an in-network provider, create an account and sign in on premera.com.

We will keep you updated on the status of negotiations here. If we are unable to reach an agreement with MultiCare, or if you want to find another in-network doctor or healthcare professional, we will work with you to safely move your care with as little disruption as possible.

Click here to learn more about the process behind provider negotiations.