HealthWays
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s an integral part of ValleyCare Health System,
the ValleyCare Auxiliary’s contributions of time,
talent and treasure provide an added dimension to
the care and services ValleyCare offers to patients
and visitors.
Since their origination in 1958 (even before
Valley Memorial Hospital opened), the ValleyCare Auxiliary
has given 1,620,000 hours of volunteer time; over $6 million to expand
facilities, programs and services; and 192 scholarships to local high school students
entering college with plans for a medical career.
ValleyCare has been providing not-for-pro t, high-quality medical care to the members
of this community for over 53 years. “The ValleyCare Auxiliary has been there every step
of the way, making a difference for patients, families, visitors and staff,” says ValleyCare
CEO Scott Gregerson. “Simply put, our volunteers are an invaluable resource. The level
of service we are able to provide is enhanced through their efforts and we are very grateful
for their support.”
VOLUNTEERING AT VALLEYCARE
Volunteering is part of a long and rich American tradition. As early as 1736, when
Benjamin Franklin organized the rst volunteer re department, people have been
giving their time to support the welfare of their community. Today, more than 60 million
volunteers across the nation donate 8 billion hours of service each year, including the
many people who donate their time right here at ValleyCare.
The ValleyCare Auxiliary is involved in a variety of activities throughout the health
system, including: visiting patients through the Ambassador program, escorting
wheelchair patients, delivering owers, staf ng the Gift Shop and Thrift Shop, directing
visitors at our information desks, working in our outpatient surgery center and emergency
services and helping staff members in different departments throughout the hospital. You
will also nd them assisting patrons at the ValleyCare Health Library or visiting with
patients in our Cancer Center.
VOLUNTEERING MAKES A DIFFERENCE
What’s also noteworthy about volunteering is that you may be making a big difference for
yourself in the process. Research shows that people who volunteer may have improved
physical and mental health and greater life satisfaction than those who don’t volunteer.
Volunteers gain a sense of purpose and accomplishment—and they may even live longer!
Many of our volunteers cite how they’ve made deep and lasting friendships through their
participation in the Auxiliary.
THE AUXILIARY NEEDS YOU
There are many opportunities for adult volunteers in the Livermore, Pleasanton and
Dublin facilities. Training is provided and hours/days are exible. If you would like to join
the more than 300 special volunteers of the ValleyCare Auxiliary and become a contributing
member of your community hospital, please visit
or call
our volunteer line for more information at
925 734 3368
.
Good for You!
Volunteering:
Good for Us,
Our dedicated volunteers provide many vital support services
throughout the health system. Join themby calling
925-734-3368
.
ValleyCare
Makes Paying Bills
EASIER
To pay a bill online, visit
and
click on“Online Bill Pay.”If you have questions
about a bill, customer service representatives are
available at
925 373 8057
or toll-free at
866 527 0596
or by email at
billing@valleycare.com
.
V
alleyCare has made paying your hospital bill much
easier and has also completely overhauled the
statements, making them easier to understand.
“ValleyCare recently adopted cutting-edge technology
that allows our patients to review their statements and
make payments via their smartphone or computer,”
says Patient Financial Services Director Cindy Rudow.
“We are fortunate to provide health care services to
tech-savvy patients who have requested this type of
technology. Patients who prefer paper statements
will also notice a patient-friendly format that is easier
to understand.”
SIMPLEE®PAY
A strategic partnership with Simplee
®
allowed for the
recent launch of these easier-to-understand bills, as well
as easy-to-use online or smartphone bill payment options.
With Simplee
®
PAY, patients can opt in at the time of
service to receive email or text noti cations about their
bills. This noti cation will enable them to go directly to
a secure website to pay their bills from their computer
or smartphone.
Those patients who opt in for email or text notices
will receive a thank-you note from ValleyCare within
seven days of their service, along with con rmation
that their insurance has been billed. At that time, the
patient can request an online summary of charges or
an itemized bill. Once insurance has paid the claim,
another electronic
notice will be sent
to the patient. If the
patient agrees with the
patient portion, he or
she can pay their bill
from their smartphone
or computer.
NEW STATEMENTS
Patients will also continue
to receive paper statements.
However, they may also
request to go paperless. The new
statements provide clear breakdowns of what is owed
and why.
“Of course patients may continue to use traditional
means to pay their bill, and we are always available in
Patient Financial Services to answer any questions,”
Rudow says.
Scott Gregerson
CEO
ValleyCare Health System–
Pleasanton
5555–5575 and 5725
W. Las Positas Blvd.
Pleasanton, CA 94588
ValleyCare Health System–
Livermore
1111–1133 E. Stanley Blvd.
Livermore, CA 94550
ValleyCare Health System–
Dublin
4000 Dublin Blvd., Suite 150
Dublin, CA 94568
The mission of ValleyCare Health System is to assume the leadership role for the
health of the communities of the Tri-Valley.
ValleyCare Health System:
925-847-3000
,
HealthWays
is published three times a year by the Marketing and Public Relations Department
for friends of ValleyCare Health System. Information in
HealthWays
comes from a wide range
of medical experts. If you have concerns or questions about speci c content that may affect your
health, please contact your health care provider. Models may be used in illustrations.
Copyright © 2014
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