Updated 6/5/2026
Regence BlueShield (the third-party administrator for Uniform Medical Plan [UMP]) and MultiCare have been unable to reach an agreement on a new provider contract, which means certain MultiCare providers in Grays Harbor, Thurston, and Yakima counties are out of network for UMP members effective May 10, 2026. MultiCare providers in other counties are not affected. See the full list of affected facilities.
HCA understands that Regence and MultiCare continue to negotiate on a new agreement. Both parties remain committed to continuing discussions to resolve this negotiation. View the announcements from Regence and MultiCare for more information.
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.
What are my coverage options?
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. However, there are some exceptions:
Access to emergency or urgent care
Emergency care received at any hospital emergency room is still covered at the network rate. If you need immediate help, call 911 for a hospital emergency or 988 for a mental health or substance use disorder crisis.
Many urgent care clinics (for example, MultiCare's Indigo Urgent Care clinics) in Grays Harbor, Thurston, and Yakima counties also remain in-network.
Continuation of services for primary care providers
Unless a new agreement is reached, Regence has confirmed that MultiCare primary care will be covered at the in-network rate through July 9, 2026. Washington state law allows affected UMP members to continue seeing any MultiCare primary care provider for up to 60 days at the in-network rate, even if their provider’s contract with Regence BlueShield has ended. You are not required to see your chosen primary care provider. This continuation of services for primary care providers happens automatically, so you don’t need to contact UMP Customer Service to have coverage for this 60-day transition period. If you have questions about accessing primary care during this time, contact UMP Customer Service.
Continuity of Care for members in current treatment
UMP members currently receiving services from MultiCare for certain conditions may have the right to continue treatment at the in-network rate through August 9, 2026, under a continuity of care provision. Members must call UMP Customer Service to confirm eligibility.
Eligible conditions 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 nonelective surgery from the provider
- Being pregnant and seeing the provider for pregnancy-related care
- Being determined to be terminally ill
Who can confirm whether services from MultiCare will be covered?
UMP Customer Service is the best resource to confirm whether a service is covered at in-network or out-of-network rates. They can also help you find other in-network provider options.
Can I change plans?
If a new agreement is not reached within a month, HCA may allow some subscribers to change medical plans. If this happens, we will mail a letter to notify eligible subscribers of this opportunity and how to enroll.
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 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.
