Benefits · Healthcare
How to apply for HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital Financial Assistance
HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital and HCA Florida Englewood Hospital — HCA Healthcare-operated private for-profit hospitals serving Charlotte County
Who it's for
HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital (Port Charlotte) and HCA Florida Englewood Hospital (Englewood) are the dominant hospitals serving Charlotte County, both operated by HCA Healthcare — the largest for-profit hospital corporation in the United States. Charlotte County does NOT have a public hospital district (unlike neighboring Sarasota Memorial District) or a county-funded indigent health coverage plan (unlike Hillsborough HCHCP / Pinellas PCHP / Polk Healthcare Plan / Manatee County Health Care Plan). For low-income uninsured Charlotte residents, the hospital safety-net flows through HCA Healthcare's system-wide Financial Assistance Policy, which provides discounts on hospital services for patients who meet income criteria. Under HCA's system policy: uninsured patients with household income at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines may qualify for full charity care; patients above 200 percent FPL receive an automatic Uninsured Discount on gross charges. HCA Healthcare's financial assistance is generally less generous than at nonprofit peer hospitals (AdventHealth at 250% FPL, Orlando Health at 225% FPL, public-district peers at 200% FPL with broader services). Apply by contacting Fawcett Hospital Financial Counseling at the Patient Financial Services contact provided at hcafloridahealthcare.com or by calling the hospital directly.
HCA Healthcare's financial assistance is structurally LESS GENEROUS than the policies at peer nonprofit and public-district hospitals across the FL cluster. Charlotte residents seeking the most comprehensive hospital charity care may benefit from receiving non-emergent care across the county line at neighboring Sarasota Memorial Hospital District (a true public hospital district with three-tier patient assistance — see fl.sarasota.smh_charity) or at AdventHealth or Lee Health hospitals in adjacent counties. For emergent care, HCA's facilities in Charlotte are the closest options. The modeled income gate (~200% FPL / $31,200 single 2026) is the typical HCA charity threshold for full charity; sliding-scale discounts may apply at higher income brackets. Confirm exact terms with Fawcett's Patient Financial Services before any hospital encounter — HCA's policy can vary by hospital and by funding cycle.
What you'll need
- Proof of household income (pay stubs, Social Security award letter, tax return, SSA-1099)
- Proof of family size
- Photo identification
- Proof of Charlotte County residency
- Documentation that you are uninsured or that your insurance coverage is exhausted
- Completed HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital Financial Assistance Application
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 941-629-1181
Renewals
per encounter; annual recertification 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.