Sentara bill pay login basics
Sentara Healthcare operates its own online bill payment portal separate from your hospital account login. To pay a Sentara bill online, you go to the Sentara patient portal at mysentara.org, create or sign into an account there, and link your bill to that portal account. The portal lets you view statements, set up one-time payments, and arrange automatic recurring payments directly from your bank account.
You do not need to create a new username and password if you already have a Sentara patient portal account — you use the same login credentials. If you have never used the portal before, you will need to register with an email address and create a password before you can access your bills.
Key Takeaways
- The Sentara bill payment portal is at mysentara.org, separate from any hospital system login you may already have.
- You must register for a patient portal account or sign in with existing credentials before you can view or pay bills online.
- Once logged in, you can pay by bank transfer (ACH), debit card, or credit card, though fees may apply to card payments.
- If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it by email.
- You can also pay by phone at the number on your bill or by mailing a check to the address listed on your statement.
Steps to create a new Sentara patient portal account
Go to mysentara.org and select the option to create a new account. You will need a valid email address, a password you create yourself, and your date of birth. Sentara will send a verification email to the address you provide — open that email and click the link to confirm your account is real.
After you verify your email, you can log in with your email address and password. The system may ask you security questions or request additional information to confirm your identity before showing you your medical records and bills. This step protects your health information from unauthorized access.
Once your account is set up and verified, your Sentara bills should appear in the portal within one to two business days. If you do not see a bill you know you received, check that the email address on file with Sentara matches the one you used to register for the portal.
How to pay a bill after logging in
After you log into mysentara.org, look for a section labeled "Billing," "Payments," or "My Bills" — the exact label varies depending on which Sentara facility issued your bill. Click on the bill you want to pay, and the portal will show you the amount due and the due date.
Select your payment method: bank account (ACH transfer), debit card, or credit card. Bank transfers are usually free, while credit and debit card payments typically carry a processing fee of 2 to 3 percent of the amount you pay. Enter your payment information, confirm the amount, and submit. The portal will show you a confirmation number immediately.
The payment will post to your account within one to three business days for bank transfers, or the same day for card payments. You can check the status of a payment you just made by returning to the billing section and looking for a "Payment History" or "Recent Transactions" tab.
What to do if you forget your password
On the mysentara.org login page, click the "Forgot Password" link. Enter the email address associated with your account. Sentara will send a password reset link to that email within a few minutes.
Open the email and click the reset link. You will be taken to a page where you can create a new password. Make sure your new password is at least eight characters long and includes a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols — this makes it harder for someone else to guess. After you save your new password, you can log in with it right away.
If you do not receive the reset email within 10 minutes, check your spam or junk folder. If it is not there, try resetting again or contact Sentara's patient support line — the number is on your bill or on the mysentara.org website.
Payment methods and fees
Sentara accepts three payment methods through the online portal. A bank account transfer (also called ACH or electronic check) draws money directly from your checking or savings account and usually has no fee. You will need your bank routing number and account number, which appear on the bottom left of your checks.
Debit cards and credit cards are also accepted, but Sentara or its payment processor charges a fee — typically 2 to 3 percent of the payment amount. A $500 payment by credit card might cost you $10 to $15 extra. If you want to avoid the fee, use your bank account instead.
Some Sentara locations also accept payments by phone or by mail. The phone number and mailing address appear on your bill statement. Payments by check usually take five to seven business days to post after Sentara receives them.
Setting up automatic recurring payments
If you have a bill that repeats every month — for example, a payment plan for a past balance — you can set up automatic payments so you do not have to log in each time. After you log into mysentara.org and select your bill, look for an option to "Set Up Autopay," "Recurring Payment," or "Automatic Payment."
Choose how often you want to pay (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, or another schedule), which payment method to use, and the amount. The system will confirm the first payment date and all future payment dates. You can cancel or change an automatic payment at any time by logging back into the portal and editing your payment settings.
Automatic payments are deducted on the date you choose, so make sure you have enough money in your account on that day. If a payment fails because your account has insufficient funds or your card is expired, Sentara will usually send you a notice and may try the payment again.
Troubleshooting common login and payment problems
If you log in but do not see your bill, the account may not be linked to your medical record yet. This can take one to two business days after Sentara generates the bill. Try logging out and back in, or wait a day and check again. If the bill still does not appear, contact Sentara's billing department using the number on your paper statement.
If a payment you submitted shows as "pending" for more than three business days, or if you see an error message when you try to pay, your bank account or card information may be outdated or flagged by your bank's fraud detection system. Try using a different payment method, or call your bank to ask whether they blocked the transaction.
If you cannot log in at all — for example, your password is not working even after you reset it — clear your browser's cache and cookies, try a different web browser, or use the Sentara patient portal app on your phone instead of the website. If none of that works, call Sentara's patient support line to have them reset your account manually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is mysentara.org the same as my hospital's main website?
No. mysentara.org is the patient portal specifically for viewing medical records and paying bills. Your hospital's main website is different and does not have bill payment. Always go to mysentara.org to pay, not to the main hospital website.
Can I pay someone else's Sentara bill using my login?
Only if that person has authorized you to access their account. You cannot pay another person's bill unless they have added you as an authorized user on their patient portal account. If you are a family member or caregiver, ask the patient to log in and grant you access through their account settings.
What happens if I pay late?
Late fees and interest charges depend on your bill type and payment plan. Check your bill statement for the due date and any late fee amount. If you miss a payment, Sentara may report it to a credit bureau or send your account to a collection agency. Contact Sentara's billing department as soon as you know you will be late to discuss options.
Can I get a receipt for my payment?
Yes. After you submit a payment, the portal shows a confirmation number on screen. You can also log back in anytime and view your payment history, which serves as a record. Print or save this page for your records.
What if I need to dispute a charge on my bill?
Contact Sentara's billing department using the phone number on your statement. Explain which charge you dispute and why. Do not withhold payment while disputing — continue to pay what you believe you owe to avoid late fees. Sentara will investigate and contact you with the result.