Sentara Albemarle Medical Center

Acute care 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.

Discount steps

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

How to apply

1. Call 757-233-4600 and ask for financial assistance.
2. Application form
3. SAMC Financial Assistance Policy (#2247, revised 3/26/2026)
4. Plain language summary
5. 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.
6. The policy gives 240 days to apply. Ask the billing office which date the count starts from.

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

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

  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

  Household Income above 300%, but at or below 400% of the then-current Federal Poverty Guidelines qualify for a discount of 80%

• Insured patients

  eligible for a full, 100% write-off of any remaining patient responsibility balance after insurance has paid on Covered Services

• Very large bills

  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

  Application Period – Period of time beginning on the service date through 240 days after the provision of the patient’s first billing statement

• Documents

  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

  Services provided by Non-Hospital facilities, such as physician offices of Albemarle Physician Services – Sentara, Inc.

• Nc debt relief

  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

  may also be mailed free-of-charge to patients upon request by phoning 757-233-4600

• Covered facility

  Covered Entity – Sentara Albemarle Medical Center

• Languages

  Política de ayuda financiera

Last checked. 2026-11-11