Benefits · Healthcare
How to apply for Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Financial Assistance
Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast — Ascension Health Florida market hospital; 76-bed acute-care hospital at 7800 US Highway 98 West, Miramar Beach FL 32550; principal hospital safety net serving Walton County and the South Walton tourist corridor; sister facility to Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola which is the regional tertiary referral center
Who it's for
Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast is a 76-bed acute-care hospital at 7800 US Highway 98 West in Miramar Beach, serving Walton County (especially the South Walton coastal corridor of Santa Rosa Beach, Seacrest, Watercolor, and Seaside) and the broader Emerald Coast. As an Ascension Health Florida affiliate, the hospital follows the Ascension system-wide Financial Assistance Policy: patients at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) qualify for 100% free care for emergency and medically necessary services. Patients with documented income between 201% and 400% FPL receive partial discounts on a sliding-scale basis. There is additionally an Uninsured Discount Program for patients without insurance who don't qualify under the standard FAP — Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast offers a 55% discount under this program. A Job Loss Assistance pathway is available for patients hospitalized within 60 days of losing their job. For tertiary, complex cardiac, or trauma care, Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast refers to the larger Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola (566-bed tertiary referral) under the same Ascension system FAP. Apply by calling 866-869-9677 or via the Ascension online application portal.
Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast uses the Ascension system standard: 0-200% FPL = 100% free care; 201-400% FPL = sliding-scale partial discounts. The modeled $31,200 income gate is the 200% FPL single-person 2026 threshold for the 100% tier; scales up by household size. The 55% Uninsured Discount Program is a distinctive Emerald Coast layer — patients who don't qualify for standard FAP can still receive an automatic 55% reduction off charges by virtue of being uninsured. The Job Loss Assistance pathway is unique among modeled FL hospital records — seniors who lose work-based health insurance shortly before a hospitalization (rare but possible for late-career adults) can pursue this option. For tertiary care, Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola is the system referral destination under the same Ascension FAP. Florida law's 240-day post-billing application window applies — seniors can apply for charity care even after the bill has been sent.
What you'll need
- Completed Ascension Financial Assistance Application (online or paper)
- Proof of household income (recent pay stubs, Social Security award letter, tax return, SSA-1099)
- Proof of family/household size
- Photo identification
- Documentation of insurance status (insurance denial letter, Medicaid denial, or proof of uninsured status)
- For Job Loss Assistance: hospitalization within 60 days of job loss documentation
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 866-869-9677
Renewals
per encounter; documentation refresh required for ongoing patients
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.