PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center
Nonprofit acute care hospital in Bellingham, WA.
From the hospital's IRS filing, tax year 2024
PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center likely gives free care to households with a yearly income up to $47,880 for 1 person, $64,920 for 2, $81,960 for 3, $99,000 for 4, $116,040 for 5 or $133,080 for 6. It likely gives a discount to households with a yearly income up to $63,840 for 1 person, $86,560 for 2, $109,280 for 3, $132,000 for 4, $154,720 for 5 or $177,440 for 6.
The hospital makes the final decision.
| People in household | Free care up to | Discount up to |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $47,880 | $63,840 |
| 2 | $64,920 | $86,560 |
| 3 | $81,960 | $109,280 |
| 4 | $99,000 | $132,000 |
| 5 | $116,040 | $154,720 |
| 6 | $133,080 | $177,440 |
How to apply
- Call (360) 734-5400 and ask for financial assistance.
- Financial assistance policy named in the IRS filing
- We do not have the deadline yet. Apply as soon as you get a bill, and ask the billing office to pause collections while you apply.
If you have insurance
If you have insurance, ask whether this policy helps with deductibles and copays. Keep your insurance. Financial assistance covers bills from this one place only.
What is covered
Ask whether doctors who bill you separately, such as emergency doctors or anesthesiologists, are covered by this policy.
State program in Washington
Washington charity care law, Tier 1 hospitals (RCW 70.170.060(5)(a))
Large Washington hospitals, mostly those in health systems with three or more hospitals, must give free care if your family income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty level. From 301% to 350% the law requires a 75% discount, and from 351% to 400% a 50% discount. These discounts apply to the part of the bill you owe, so they can help with deductibles and copays even if you have insurance. The law lets a hospital lower the 75% or 50% discount if you have savings above set limits, but it cannot count your home, one car, or most retirement plans. The Department of Health lists which hospitals are Tier 1. These are minimums, and many hospitals give more. You can apply for past bills, even ones sent to collections.
Income levels in the program are free up to 300%, discount up to 400% of poverty level.
Applies to Tier 1 hospitals on the Department of Health tier list: hospitals owned or operated by a health system with three or more Washington acute hospitals, plus large acute care hospitals in the most populous county and in a large county on the southern border.
Ask the hospital's billing or financial assistance office for a charity care application. Send it back with proof of income, such as pay stubs, W-2s, or a tax return. If you are denied, you have 30 days to appeal. Each hospital's approved policy is posted by the Department of Health: https://doh.wa.gov/data-and-statistical-reports/healthcare-washington/hospital-and-patient-data/hospital-policies. Questions: CharityCare@doh.wa.gov or 360-236-4210.
a hospital owned or operated by a health system that owns or operates three or more acute hospitals licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW
Program source, checked 2026-11-11
Sources
Last checked. IRS filing for tax year 2024
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