MultiCare Health Systems contract ending

As part of its negotiation process, MultiCare Health Systems (MultiCare) issued a termination notice to LifeWise Health Plan of Washington (LifeWise), effective May 31, 2026. LifeWise is working with MultiCare to renegotiate our contracts, which impacts all commercial plans, along with LifeWise individual plans and LifeWise group plans. MultiCare includes the following providers:

• MultiCare Health Systems
• Capital Medical Center Physicians LLC
• Capital Medical Center Specialty Physicians LLC
• VP Surgery Center of Auburn LLC
• Wellfound Behavioral Health Hospital
• Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare
• MultiCare Health System
• Puyallup Ambulatory Surgery Center LLC
• NAVOS
• Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital Association
• Memorial Physicians PLLC
• Yakima Urology at Memorial TR
• MYASC LLC
• Neospine Puyallup Spine Center LLC

While we are continuing to negotiate and try to reach an agreement, the contracts MultiCare has chosen to terminate include all MultiCare clinics, hospitals, and all providers. Please be advised that not all healthcare providers within MultiCare may be part of your current network. Kindly utilize our Find Care tool to verify whether your provider is in-network.

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 LifeWise, they are about our customers. We serve as their advocate during these discussions.

Since November 2025, LifeWise 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.

What happens next? 

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

Will I be charged for getting emergency care at MultiCare if they leave the LifeWise 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 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 LifeWise health plan ID card for more information about this process.

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 and virtual behavioral health options included with your LifeWise health plan

As we continue our efforts to reach an agreement with MultiCare, we are making special arrangements for members to receive care at hospitals that would otherwise not be in their network.

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

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.