Homeowners living within King County Public Hospital District #1 have an easier way to qualify for the “Valley Dividend.” A number of Bellevue residents who live south of I-90 belong to the district.

The Valley Dividend grants a credit based on the tax dollars paid to the hospital district. After all third party and insurance payments have been made, a credit may be applied to out-of-pocket expenses owed to Valley Medical Center. To date in 2010 homeowners in the VMC hospital district have received an average credit of $557.

Effective August 11, these expanded services qualify for credit:

· Inpatient hospitalization: 100 percent of outstanding facility charges are eligible for credit

· Emergency department: 100 percent of outstanding facility charges are eligible for credit

· All other outpatient services including Diagnostic Imaging, Outpatient Surgery, Observation-status admissions, Endoscopy, Radiation Therapy, Rehabilitation Services, Sleep Studies; 50 percent of outstanding facility charges are eligible for credit

More information is available at www.valleymed.org/valleydividend.