# Sentara Albemarle Medical Center

Hospital in Elizabeth City, NC. Verified from the hospital's own policy.

Sentara Albemarle Medical Center likely gives free care to households with a yearly income up to $47,880 for 1 person, $64,920 for 2, $81,960 for 3, $99,000 for 4, $116,040 for 5 or $133,080 for 6. It likely gives a discount to households with a yearly income up to $63,840 for 1 person, $86,560 for 2, $109,280 for 3, $132,000 for 4, $154,720 for 5 or $177,440 for 6.

The hospital makes the final decision.

| Household size | Free care if yearly income is up to | Discount if yearly income is up to |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $47,880 | $63,840 |
| 2 | $64,920 | $86,560 |
| 3 | $81,960 | $109,280 |
| 4 | $99,000 | $132,000 |
| 5 | $116,040 | $154,720 |
| 6 | $133,080 | $177,440 |

Dollar amounts use the 2026 federal poverty guidelines.

## Discount steps

- 0% to 300% of poverty level, patient pays nothing (100% write-off), for insured and uninsured patients
- 300.1% to 400% of poverty level, patient pays 20% (80% discount), off gross charges for uninsured patients or off the balance after insurance for insured patients
- 400.1% to null% of poverty level, patient pays 50% of hospital gross charges (uninsured and self-pay discount, outside the financial assistance policy)

## How to apply

- Call 757-233-4600 and ask for financial assistance.
- [Application form](https://www.sentara.com/en/health-care/documents/f/financial-assistance-application-brochurepdf-274144)
- [SAMC Financial Assistance Policy (#2247, revised 3/26/2026)](https://www.sentara.com/en/health-care/documents/s/samc-financial-assistance-policy)
- [Plain language summary](https://www.sentara.com/en/health-care/documents/p/plainlanguagesummarypdf-273753)
- The policy gives 240 days to apply. Ask the billing office which date the count starts from.
- Bring proof of income (three most recent pay stubs, or latest federal tax return or W-2), government assistance, Social Security, workers compensation or unemployment letters, if any, bank statements, proof of assets.
- Very large bills. If the amount owed is more than 100% of household income, the balance is reduced to 25% of household income
- Languages. English, Spanish

## If you have insurance

Insured patients can also apply for help with deductibles and copays.
Keep your insurance. Financial assistance covers bills from this one place only.

## What is covered

Covered. Emergency care and other medically necessary care at Sentara Albemarle Medical Center.

Not covered. Doctor offices of Albemarle Physician Services are not covered by this hospital policy. Cosmetic and elective services and bills tied to an injury claim against someone else are not covered.

## State program in North Carolina

### North Carolina Medical Debt Mitigation Program (NCDHHS, through the Medicaid HASP program)

North Carolina's acute care hospitals agreed with the state health department (NCDHHS) to follow set charity care rules in return for higher Medicaid payments. Every eligible hospital signed on. For North Carolina residents, hospital bills are 100% discounted below 200% of the federal poverty level. Between 200% and 250% the discount is at least 75%. Between 250% and 300% it is at least 50%. The discounts apply to insured and uninsured patients, but hospitals do not have to discount insurance copays. For emergency room care, a hospital may still charge a small fee of up to $35. Since January 1, 2026, hospitals must screen patients and give these discounts without an application when household income looks to be at or below 300% of the poverty level. You may also apply yourself. The rules cover the hospital's own bill, not separate doctor or pharmacy bills. This is a state program agreement, not a state law.

Income levels in the program are free up to 200%, discount up to 300% of poverty level.

Applies to the acute care and critical access hospitals on NCDHHS's list of participating hospitals; North Carolina residents (hospitals may choose to help non-residents).

How to apply. Most patients should be screened automatically. You can also ask the hospital's financial assistance office to apply under its Medical Debt Mitigation Policy. Each hospital's policy is linked from NCDHHS at https://www.ncdhhs.gov/hospital-financial-assistance-policies/open. Questions: NCDHHS Customer Service Center, 1-800-662-7030.

> Discount of 100% for individuals with incomes below 200% FPL.

Source https://www.ncdhhs.gov/medical-debt-toolkit/download?attachment, checked 2026-11-11

## Notes

This hospital has its own policy, separate from Sentara's Virginia hospitals. It has no asset limit written into the income rules. Patients with Medicaid (or a child on Medicaid), WIC or SNAP, or who are homeless, are approved without an application. Under the North Carolina Medical Debt Relief Program, old unpaid hospital debt back to January 1, 2014 is forgiven for incomes at or below 350% of the poverty level or when the debt is more than 5% of yearly income. The policy says the hospital and its collectors never use extraordinary collection actions. Approval covers care up to 240 days before the application and 6 months after approval. Uninsured patients above 400% of the poverty level get a 50% discount. Help line is 757-233-4600 or 1-877-768-3993, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

## Sources

- Free care level https://www.sentara.com/en/health-care/documents/s/samc-financial-assistance-policy
  > Uninsured Patients with a Household Income at or below 300% of the then-current Federal Poverty Guidelines are eligible for a full, 100% write-off
- Discount level https://www.sentara.com/en/health-care/documents/s/samc-financial-assistance-policy
  > Household Income above 300%, but at or below 400% of the then-current Federal Poverty Guidelines qualify for a discount of 80%
- Insured patients https://www.sentara.com/en/health-care/documents/s/samc-financial-assistance-policy
  > eligible for a full, 100% write-off of any remaining patient responsibility balance after insurance has paid on Covered Services
- Very large bills https://www.sentara.com/en/health-care/documents/s/samc-financial-assistance-policy
  > when the patient responsibility amount due on Covered Services exceeds 100% of Household Income the Covered Entity will adjust the patient responsibility balance to 25%
- Deadline https://www.sentara.com/en/health-care/documents/s/samc-financial-assistance-policy
  > Application Period – Period of time beginning on the service date through 240 days after the provision of the patient’s first billing statement
- Documents https://www.sentara.com/en/health-care/documents/s/samc-financial-assistance-policy
  > three most recent pay stubs at time of application; most recent annual Federal tax return or W-2 at time of application
- What is not covered https://www.sentara.com/en/health-care/documents/s/samc-financial-assistance-policy
  > Services provided by Non-Hospital facilities, such as physician offices of Albemarle Physician Services – Sentara, Inc.
- Nc debt relief https://www.sentara.com/en/health-care/documents/s/samc-financial-assistance-policy
  > shall relieve unpaid patient hospital medical debt dating back to January 1, 2014, for patients with incomes at or below 350% FPL
- Financial counseling phone https://www.sentara.com/en/health-care/documents/s/samc-financial-assistance-policy
  > may also be mailed free-of-charge to patients upon request by phoning 757-233-4600
- Covered facility https://www.sentara.com/en/health-care/documents/s/samc-financial-assistance-policy
  > Covered Entity – Sentara Albemarle Medical Center
- Languages https://www.sentara.com/en/health-care/billing/financial-assistance/sentara-albemarle-medical-center
  > Política de ayuda financiera

Last checked 2026-11-11.

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