How to apply for Ascension Sacred Heart Bay Financial Assistance in Florida

Who it's for

Ascension Sacred Heart Bay is a 323-bed acute-care hospital at 615 N Bonita Avenue in Panama City, serving Bay County and the central Panhandle. As an Ascension Health Florida affiliate, the hospital follows the Ascension system-wide Financial Assistance Policy: patients at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) qualify for 100% free care for emergency and medically necessary services. Patients with documented income between 251% and 400% FPL receive partial discounts on a sliding-scale basis. The FAP applies to all emergency and medically necessary care including employed physician services and behavioral health. Patients are eligible for up to 100% financial assistance if they submit an application within 240 days of their first discharge bill — Florida law's standard charity care application window. Apply by calling Patient Financial Services or online via the Ascension Billing Florida portal. For tertiary, complex cardiac, or specialty care beyond Sacred Heart Bay's scope, patients may be referred to Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola (566-bed tertiary referral) under the same Ascension system FAP. Sacred Heart Bay was rebuilt after Hurricane Michael (2018) and is the only acute-care hospital in Panama City following the hurricane.

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)
• Application must be submitted within 240 days of first discharge bill

Where to apply

What to say when you call

"Hello, I'm calling to ask about Ascension Sacred Heart Bay Financial Assistance. I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may 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 — is anything else required? What is the best next step?"

Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.

Step by step

1. Gather your required documents before you apply. You will need: a completed Ascension Financial Assistance Application (online or paper form), recent proof of household income (such as pay stubs, a Social Security award letter, a tax return, or an SSA-1099), proof of family or household size, a photo ID, and documentation of your insurance status (such as an insurance denial letter, a Medicaid denial, or proof that you are uninsured).
2. Check the 240-day deadline. Your application must be submitted within 240 days of your first discharge bill. Apply as early in the billing cycle as possible for the strongest chance of approval.
3. Choose how you want to apply. You can apply online through the Ascension Billing Florida portal or by phone. To apply by phone, call Patient Financial Services at 866-869-9677.
4. Complete and submit the Ascension Financial Assistance Application along with all required supporting documents. If applying online, upload your documents through the portal. If applying by phone, a Patient Financial Services representative can guide you through the process.
5. Keep copies of everything you submit, including your application and all supporting documents, for your records.

What to expect: After you submit your application, Patient Financial Services will review your documents and determine your eligibility. Patients with income at or below 250% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) may qualify for 100% free care for emergency and medically necessary services, including employed physician services and behavioral health. Patients with income between 251% and 400% FPL may receive a partial discount on a sliding-scale basis. Processing times vary — contact Patient Financial Services at 866-869-9677 for an estimate on your case. Financial assistance is reviewed per encounter, so if you receive ongoing care at Ascension Sacred Heart Bay, you will need to refresh your documentation and submit a new application for each billing period. If your care needs are referred to Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola for tertiary or complex specialty services, the same Ascension system Financial Assistance Policy applies there as well.

Renewals

per encounter; documentation refresh required for ongoing patients; 240-day window from first discharge bill