Benefits · Healthcare
How to apply for UF Health Family Medical Group Starke (Local Primary Care) + UF Health Shands Hospital (Referral)
Two-layer healthcare safety net for Bradford County: (1) UF Health Family Medical Group – Starke — local UF Health-affiliated primary care clinic in Starke; (2) UF Health Shands Hospital — 1,162-bed academic medical center + Level I Trauma Center at 1600 SW Archer Road, Gainesville FL 32610 (Alachua County); Bradford is explicitly named in UF Health's Community Health Needs Assessment service area (along with Alachua, Columbia, Levy, Marion, Putnam, and Suwannee)
Who it's for
Bradford County's healthcare safety net is distinctively integrated with UF Health — Bradford is explicitly named in UF Health's Community Health Needs Assessment service area (along with Alachua, Columbia, Levy, Marion, Putnam, and Suwannee). Two UF Health-system access points serve Bradford: LOCAL PRIMARY CARE: UF Health Family Medical Group – Starke provides primary care and family medicine in Bradford County itself — Bradford seniors can access UF Health-system primary care without leaving the county. The clinic is a UF Health affiliate and follows the UF Health system Financial Assistance Policy. HOSPITAL-LEVEL CARE: For hospitalization, Bradford seniors travel to UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville (about 45 minutes southeast). UF Health Shands has a STRICTER 185% FPL threshold for 100% charity care; UF Health does NOT extend sliding-scale charity above 200% FPL; the 45% uninsured self-pay discount applies as a baseline. UF Health Shands also provides $252.6 million in unsponsored charity care annually across its FL system. Florida Department of Health in Bradford County also provides sliding-scale public health services as a complementary safety-net layer. For Bradford seniors, SREC Transportation (fl.bradford.srec_transportation) is the practical mobility link. Apply for UF Health Shands FAP by calling 352-265-7906; for UF Health Family Medical Group Starke services, contact the clinic directly.
Bradford County's distinctive UF Health integration means local primary care is available through UF Health Family Medical Group Starke — Bradford seniors don't need to travel for routine primary care like Wakulla, Jefferson, Suwannee, Hamilton, Levy, Dixie, Gilchrist, or Lafayette seniors. For hospitalization, the 45-minute trip to UF Health Shands in Gainesville is the binding constraint. UF Health Shands' 185% FPL threshold is STRICTER than peer FL hospitals (HCA 200%, Ascension 200%, AdventHealth 250%, Baptist Jax 300%) — Bradford seniors near 185-200% FPL should be aware. The 45% uninsured self-pay discount applies as a baseline. UF Health's $252.6M annual charity care commitment includes Bradford as one of the named service counties — meaningful institutional commitment to serving this rural population. For Bradford seniors, SREC Transportation requires advance reservation; same-day rides not available. For emergency care, 911 dispatch will route to the appropriate Gainesville facility.
What you'll need
- For UF Health Family Medical Group Starke: standard registration + insurance documentation; uninsured patients eligible for sliding-scale fees
- For UF Health Shands FAP application: Completed UF Health Financial Assistance Application (available in English/Spanish/Mandarin) + proof of household income + proof of family size + photo ID + documentation of insurance status
- For Medicaid or Medicare: separate enrollment applications through respective programs
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 352-265-7906
Renewals
per encounter for UF Health Shands; UF Health Family Medical Group Starke enrollment is ongoing
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