How to Pay Your Sentara Medical Bills Online and by Mail
What Sentara Bill Pay is and how to use it
Sentara Bill Pay is the online payment system run by Sentara Healthcare, a hospital and medical provider network across Virginia, North Carolina, and northeastern South Carolina. If you received a bill from a Sentara hospital, urgent care, or physician practice, you can pay it through their website without calling or mailing a check.
You do not need to create an account to make a one-time payment. You can pay as a guest using your bill number and date of birth. If you want to set up recurring payments or check your balance between bills, you will need to register for a Sentara patient portal account, which is separate from Bill Pay but links to it.
Sentara accepts payments by debit card, credit card, and bank account transfer (ACH). Each method has different timing for when the money reaches Sentara, so the method you choose depends on when your bill is due and whether you have a fee concern.
Key Takeaways
- You can pay a Sentara bill online as a guest without creating an account, using your bill number and date of birth.
- Debit and credit card payments process immediately but may carry a convenience fee; bank account transfers are free but take one to three business days.
- If you register for a Sentara patient portal account, you can view your balance, set up automatic payments, and check payment history.
- Mailing a check or money order is still an option if you do not have online access, but you should mail it at least one week before the due date.
- If your bill is past due or you cannot pay in full, contact Sentara's billing department to ask about payment plans or financial hardship programs.
How to pay online as a guest (no account required)
Go to the Sentara Bill Pay website. Look for the option to pay as a guest or without logging in. You will be asked for your bill number (found at the top of your bill) and your date of birth. Enter both and click to proceed.
The system will display your bill amount and due date. Choose your payment method: credit card, debit card, or bank account. If you choose a card, enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV. If you choose a bank account, enter your routing number and account number. Review the amount and confirm the payment.
You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Save or print this number. The payment will be recorded in Sentara's system, and you can reference the confirmation number if you have questions later.
Payment methods and how long each takes
Debit and credit card payments are processed immediately and show as paid in Sentara's system within one business day. However, Sentara charges a convenience fee for card payments—the amount varies but is typically 2 to 3 percent of your bill. You will see the fee amount before you confirm the payment.
Bank account transfers (ACH) are free and take one to three business days to clear. If your bill is due in fewer than three days, a bank transfer may not arrive in time. In that case, a card payment (with the fee) or a mailed check sent overnight may be your only options to avoid a late payment.
Money orders and checks can be mailed to the address on your bill. Mail them at least one week before the due date to allow time for delivery and processing. Do not send cash by mail.
Creating a Sentara patient portal account for recurring payments
If you receive multiple bills from Sentara or want to monitor your account between bills, register for a Sentara patient portal account. This is different from paying as a guest. Go to the Sentara website and look for "Patient Portal" or "MyChart" (the name varies by location). Click to register and provide your name, date of birth, email, and a password.
Once you are logged in, you can view all your bills, check your balance, and set up automatic payments. Automatic payments can be scheduled for a specific date each month or each time a new bill arrives. You can also update your payment method, view payment history, and download past bills for your records.
If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page. Sentara will send a reset link to your email. Do not share your login information with anyone else, and log out when you are finished using a shared computer.
What to do if you cannot pay the full amount
If your bill is due but you do not have the full amount, contact Sentara's billing department before the due date. The phone number is on your bill. Explain your situation and ask whether they offer payment plans. Many Sentara locations allow you to split a bill into two, three, or more monthly payments without interest.
Sentara also has financial hardship programs for patients who meet income requirements. You may be asked to provide proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit statements) and household size. If you may have access to, part or all of your bill may be reduced or forgiven. Ask the billing department whether you can apply over the phone or whether you need to submit documents by mail or online.
If your bill has already gone to a collection agency, you may still be able to negotiate with Sentara's billing department. Some hospitals will recall a debt from collections if you contact them directly and arrange a payment plan. Do this as soon as possible, because once a collection account is reported to credit bureaus, it can affect your credit score for years.
Late payments and what happens to your account
If your payment does not arrive by the due date, Sentara will typically send a past-due notice within 10 to 30 days. At this point, you may be charged a late fee (the amount is set by Sentara and varies). Your account will be marked as past due in their system.
If you receive a past-due notice, pay as soon as you can and contact the billing department to confirm receipt. Ask them to confirm that the late fee was applied and whether it can be waived if this is your first late payment. Some hospitals will remove a single late fee as a courtesy.
If your account remains unpaid for 60 to 90 days, Sentara may refer it to a collection agency. Once that happens, the debt will appear on your credit report and collection calls may begin. At that point, paying Sentara directly becomes harder—you may have to negotiate with the collection agency instead. This is why contacting Sentara's billing department early, before the account goes to collections, is important.
Mailing a payment by check or money order
The mailing address for Sentara payments is on your bill. Write your bill number on the check or money order. Include a copy of your bill or a note with your name, date of birth, and account number so the payment is applied to the correct account.
Mail your payment at least one week before the due date. If you are mailing close to the due date, consider using overnight mail or a faster service. Keep a copy of the check (front and back) or the money order receipt for your records.
Do not mail cash. If you do not have a checking account, you can buy a money order at most grocery stores, pharmacies, or post offices for a small fee (usually $1 to $5). Money orders are safer than cash and provide a receipt.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fee to pay my Sentara bill online?
Card payments (credit or debit) carry a convenience fee of roughly 2 to 3 percent. Bank account transfers are free. You will see the exact fee before you confirm payment, so you can choose a different method if you prefer to avoid it.
How do I know if my payment went through?
You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email immediately after paying. Log into your Sentara patient portal to check your balance, or call the billing department to confirm the payment was received. Card payments show within one business day; bank transfers take one to three days.
Can I set up automatic payments without creating a patient portal account?
No. Automatic or recurring payments require a patient portal account. You can create one for free on the Sentara website. One-time guest payments do not allow automatic scheduling.
What if I paid my bill but it still shows as past due?
Processing delays can cause a lag between when you pay and when Sentara's system updates. Wait two to three business days, then log into your portal or call billing to confirm. If the payment was received but the account still shows past due, ask billing to update your account immediately.
Can I dispute a charge on my Sentara bill?
Yes. Contact Sentara's billing department and explain the error. Provide your bill number and details of the charge you believe is wrong. They will investigate and send you a written response. If you paid by credit card and Sentara does not resolve it, you can also dispute the charge with your credit card company.