Reproductive and Gender Treatment Services
Records Protection FAQ
What is Reproductive Care?
"Reproductive health care services" means all services, care, or products:
- of a medical, surgical, psychiatric, therapeutic, mental health, behavioral health, diagnostic, preventative, rehabilitative, supportive, counseling, referral, prescribing, or dispensing nature
- relating to the human reproductive system,
- including, but not limited to, all services, care, and products relating to pregnancy, assisted reproduction, contraception, miscarriage management, or the termination of a pregnancy, including self-managed terminations.
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What is Gender-Affirming Treatment?
- "Gender-affirming treatment" means health services or products that support and affirm an individual's gender identity – including social, psychological, behavioral, and medical or surgical interventions.
- Gender-affirming care services include, but are not limited to, evaluation and treatments for gender dysphoria, gender-affirming hormone therapy, and gender-affirming surgical procedures.
- Gender-affirming care is not limited to Trans and Non-Binary patients; Cisgender patients can also seek gender-affirming care. Examples of gender-affirming care can include various procedures and treatments such as hormone therapy, plastic surgery, breast reduction/reconstruction, laser hair removal, and more.
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Why should I consider protecting my medical records?
If certain reproductive care services- e.g., abortion or gender affirming care – are illegal in the state you live in, then limiting access to your records may help protect you from risk of legal action against you in your state of residence for services received in Washington state.
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What are the options I have for protecting my records?
- Epic CareEverywhere Opt-Out: CareEverywhere is a mechanism for healthcare professionals to view records from healthcare organizations that use Epic as their electronic medical record to support continuity of your care. Patients can opt out of CareEverywhere for any reason, and healthcare professionals at other organizations will not be able to view your medical records from EvergreenHealth.
- If you opt out of Epic CareEverywhere for EvergreenHealth, other healthcare organization providers will not be able to see any details regarding the care that you received at EvergreenHealth from the date you opt out forward.
- Self-Pay: This option will prevent sharing of the service received with your Insurance Company. However, your insurance company may have access to information from this self-paid visit as it pertains to future visits that are not self-pay, for example: the medication list and the problem list.
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What are the consequences of protecting my medical records?
Your medical providers may not have a full picture of your medical records for comprehensive care.
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Who can still see my records if I choose to protect them?
Both you and the EvergreenHealth workforce will have access to your record via MyChart. Your health insurance company can see your records for any encounters they have covered payments for.
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Can I later change my mind about a protection I put in place?
Patients can sign an authorization to release records for a one-time release or patients can also request in writing that the protection be fully lifted. The Epic CareEverywhere Opt-Out form is also used for Opting back in.
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What will be shared with my insurance company?
Your information will not be shared with the insurance company if you do not seek payment from them and choose to self-pay. However, your insurance company may have access to information from this self-paid visit as it pertains to future visits that are not self-pay, for example: the medication list and the problem list.
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Can I choose to self-pay?
Yes. The decision to self-pay needs to be made prior to or during the visit; a $200.00 deposit will be collected at the time of service. If you are unable to pay the full amount at the time of service, please refer to the financial assistance information below.
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What if I need Financial Assistance?
You may be eligible to receive financial assistance/charity care by submitting an application and providing supporting documentation. Ways to apply:
- Through MyChart: MyChart - Login Page (evergreenhealth.com)
- On our website at: www.evergreenhealth.com/financial-assistance-charity-care
- By telephone:
Kirkland
Financial Counseling Phone number: (425) 899-3632
If you have questions regarding EvergreenHealth's Charity Care Program or the Confidential Financial form, please contact EvergreenHealth's Charity Care Line at (425) 899-1616.
Monroe
Financial Counseling Phone number: (360) 794-1491
If you have questions regarding EvergreenHealth Monroe's Charity Care Program or the Confidential Financial form, please contact EvergreenHealth Monroe's Charity Care Line at (360) 794-1495.
- In person:
Kirkland Financial Counselors
Located in Blue 1-103 and Blue 1-101.1
Hours Monday thru Friday, 7am – 5pm
Monroe Financial Counselors
Located on 1st Floor of Hospital, in Pre-Procedure Coordinator office, next to B144 Hours Monday thru Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm
• To obtain documents via mail free of charge: ATTN: Patient Financial Services, 12040 NE 128th St, Kirkland, WA 98034
For other assistance, such as payment plans, or other possible discounts, please contact Patient Financial Services directly at (425) 899-1600.
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