SNOHOMISH COUNTY — EvergreenHealth closed its Healthline Saturday, Dec. 9, the hospital system announced Monday, after 30 years. It was a free service for people to speak with a nurse for advice and guidance on health conditions they were experiencing.
“The closure comes as EvergreenHealth acknowledges the availability of new tools, including online resources, health apps and patient portals like MyChart,” have led to “a significant decline in the number of calls to Healthline,” a press release said.
“Additionally, EvergreenHealth continues to experience financial losses as a result of rising costs for patient care, staffing and pharmaceuticals. In 2022, EvergreenHealth incurred a Net Operating Loss of $106.2 million.” The program was paid for with levy funds.
The hospital said the closure is “indicator of the financial crisis hospitals around Washington state and facing.”
