Billing & Insurance
- Accepted Health Insurance Plans
- Billing
- For Questions about Becoming a New Patient
- Charity Care Policy
Accepted Health Insurance Plans
Click here to view Accepted Health Insurance Plans
Tips for choosing health insurance
While the Palo Alto Medical Foundation is not a health insurance plan, we offer a network of physicians and hospitals that provide care paid for by insurance companies. You'll want to make certain when you choose a health insurance plan that you select one that gives you access to the routine and specialized services available through the Palo Alto Medical Foundation. We've prepared this guide to help you understand how different types of health insurance work and what treatments and services they cover.
Choosing Health Insurance
A Simple Guide to Picking the Right Health Insurance for You
You're not the only one who doesn't know the difference between an HMO, PPO and Point of Service (POS) plan.
Millions of people, smart people, are at a total loss when it comes to understanding the jargon of the health insurance industry. And without that understanding, choosing a good health plan is a shot in the dark.
That's why we prepared this helpful guide. We've included simple definitions, things you should know and questions you should ask to help you evaluate which health plan is best for you and your family.
Read it slowly and carefully. If you come across a word you don't know, look it up in the glossary. (Glossary words are italicized to make them easier to spot.) Print out and use the checklist at the end; a little work now could save you a lot of headaches later.
We're not a health plan, and we are not trying to sell you a particular plan. But since we deal with health plans daily, we know how confusing your choices can seem. This guide is intended to share information that will help you make the choice that works best for you and your family.
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Billing
If you have questions about charges, bills or statements from services provided and billed by PAMF providers, call your local billing office at one of the numbers listed below.
For patients who see a doctor in Aptos, Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Soquel and Watsonville – 831-423-4111
For patients who see a doctor in Castro Valley, Dublin, Fremont, Livermore, Los Altos, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Redwood City and San Carlos – 650-812-3838
For patients who see a doctor in Cupertino, Los Gatos, Mountain View, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale – 408-524-4100
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For Questions about Becoming a New Patient
If you have additional questions about becoming a new patient and would like live assistance, please call the following numbers during standard business hours.
For patients who would like to see a doctor in Aptos, Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Soquel and Watsonville – 831-423-4111
For patients who would like to see a doctor in Castro Valley, Dublin, Fremont, Livermore, Los Altos, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Redwood City and San Carlos – 650-812-3838
For patients who would like to see a doctor in Cupertino, Los Gatos, Mountain View, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale – 650-934-7080
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Charity Care Policy
The Palo Alto Medical Foundation's (PAMF) Financial Assistance Program helps patients who are unable to pay for medically necessary services they have received.
Patients qualify for financial assistance if they have low income and do not have medical insurance to cover the services. Low income is defined as income at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guideline.
If you believe you may qualify for financial assistance, please call:
For patients seen in Aptos, Capitola, Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Soquel and Watsonville – 831-458-5500
For patients seen in Castro Valley, Dublin, Fremont, Livermore, Los Altos, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Redwood City and San Carlos – 650-812-3838
For patients who see a doctor in Cupertino, Los Gatos, Mountain View, Santa Clara and Sunnyvale – 408-524-4100
2009 Federal Poverty Guidelines eligibility table:
Family Size | Period | Federal Poverty Guideline | 200% FPG |
1 | Annual | $10,830 | $21,660 |
2 | Annual | $14,570 | $29,140 |
3 | Annual | $18,310 | $36,620 |
4 | Annual | $22,050 | $44,100 |
5 | Annual | $25,790 | $51,580 |
6 | Annual | $29,530 | $59,060 |
7 | Annual | $33,270 | $66,540 |
8 | Annual | $37,010 | $74,020 |
8+ |
| Add $3,740/each | Add $7,480/each |
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