MultiCare possible departure from Uniform Medical Plan network

Update 6/5/2026

New network agreement

Regence and MultiCare signed a new provider network agreement on June 2. MultiCare is again in network for UMP members in Grays Harbor, Thurston, and Yakima counties. Members can receive care from MultiCare at the in-network rate. The agreement is retroactive, meaning that services members received since May 10 will be treated as in-network as if no interruption in network status occurred. Regence will mail a follow-up letter to members indicating the agreement is in effect. However, some members are still receiving undated letters from MultiCare that state no agreement exists – such letters were mailed before the parties reached a new agreement on June 2. View the new announcement for updates.

Recently, Regence BlueShield (the third-party administrator for UMP) mailed a legally required notice to approximately 17,000 PEBB and SEBB Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) members about an upcoming potential provider network disruption. The mailing states that MultiCare may no longer be in network for Grays Harbor, Thurston, and Yakima counties starting May 10, 2026.  

HCA understands that all parties continue to negotiate in hopes of reaching an agreement before the current contract expires. If a new network agreement is reached, UMP members will receive another letter from Regence informing them of this result. HCA will update this announcement as negotiations continue.

What do I need to do if I receive the notice?

  • You do not need to take any action right now.
  • Any care and services you have scheduled through May 9, 2026, will still be covered at the in-network rate.
  • Check this page for updates, keeping in mind that most of the time a new network agreement is ultimately reached without any provider network disruption occurring.

What if an agreement is not reached?

On or after May 10, 2026, members receiving services from MultiCare in the affected counties will pay the out-of-network rate, which is 40% of the plan’s allowed amount, plus any amount the provider bills that is above the plan’s allowed amount.

Emergency care received at any hospital emergency room would still be covered at the in-network rate. If you need immediate help, call 911 for a hospital emergency or 988 for a mental health or substance use disorder crisis.

UMP members currently receiving services from MultiCare for certain conditions may have the right to continue treatment at the network rate through August 9, 2026, under a continuity of care provision.

Eligible conditions for continuity of care include:

  • Seeing the provider for a serious or complex condition, including certain chronic conditions.
  • Undergoing a course of institutional or inpatient care from the provider
  • Being scheduled for a nonelective surgery from the provider.
  • Being pregnant and seeing the provider for pregnancy-related care.
  • Being determined to be terminally ill.

Check your plan’s certificate of coverage (COC) for more information or call UMP Customer Service at one of the numbers below. 

I have Medicare as my primary insurance; how will this affect me?

If Medicare covers the care that you are receiving from MultiCare, and MultiCare is a Medicare-participating provider, your care with will continue to be considered in-network with both Medicare and your secondary coverage under UMP. If Medicare does not cover the care you are receiving from MultiCare, your care from MultiCare on or after May 10, 2026, will be paid at the out-of-network rate by your UMP Plan.

Who can I contact for help?

  • PEBB UMP members should call UMP Customer Service at 1-888-849-3681 (TRS: 711) or visit the UMP PEBB website.
  • SEBB UMP members should call UMP Customer Service at 1-800-628-3481 (TRS: 711) or visit the UMP SEBB website.