Benefits · Healthcare
How to apply for UF Health Shands + Florida Department of Health in Dixie County (Two-Layer Hospital-Less Safety Net)
Two-layer healthcare safety net for hospital-less Dixie County: (1) Florida Department of Health in Dixie County — primary care, public health services, and sliding-scale fees at 149 NE 241st Street, Cross City FL 32628 (and other Dixie locations); (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) — Dixie seniors travel approximately 45-60 minutes east to Gainesville for hospital care. North Florida Medical Centers also operates a primary-care location in Cross City
Who it's for
Dixie County has NO acute-care hospital of its own — Dixie's safety-net healthcare is structured as a two-layer model. LOCAL PRIMARY CARE: The Florida Department of Health in Dixie County (FL DOH Dixie) at 149 NE 241st Street in Cross City provides primary medical services for children and adults — clinical and nutrition services, wellness services, immunizations, testing, and health education. FL DOH Dixie uses a sliding-fee scale based on income. North Florida Medical Centers (NFMC) — a 46+ year nonprofit — also operates a primary care location in Cross City providing dental and primary care for low-income residents. HOSPITAL-LEVEL CARE: Dixie seniors travel to Alachua County for hospitalization, typically UF Health Shands Hospital — the 1,162-bed academic medical center and Level I Trauma Center at 1600 SW Archer Road in Gainesville. UF Health Shands has a STRICTER 185% FPL threshold for 100% charity care; the 45% uninsured self-pay discount applies as a baseline. For Dixie seniors closer to Suwannee County, Shands Live Oak Regional Medical Center (in Live Oak, Suwannee County) provides alternative community-hospital access. Geographic reality: Cross City is approximately 45-60 minutes east of UF Health Shands. For Dixie seniors, SREC Transportation (fl.dixie.srec_transportation) is the practical mobility link. Apply for UF Health Shands FAP by calling 352-265-7906; for FL DOH Dixie services, call 352-498-1360.
Dixie County's lack of an in-county acute-care hospital makes the two-layer safety net structurally important — combined with North Florida Medical Centers as a THIRD primary care option, Dixie seniors have meaningful local primary-care access despite the lack of a hospital. The 45-60 minute travel to Gainesville for hospitalization is the binding constraint. UF Health Shands' 185% FPL threshold for 100% charity is STRICTER than peer FL hospitals; Dixie seniors near the 185-200% FPL range should be aware of this. The 45% uninsured self-pay discount applies as a baseline. For Dixie seniors closer to Suwannee, Shands Live Oak Regional Medical Center provides alternative community-hospital access at slightly closer distance. Geographic reality: Cross City to Gainesville is roughly 45-60 minutes by car; SREC Transportation provides paratransit for non-driving seniors but requires advance reservation. For emergency care, 911 dispatch will route to the appropriate facility — typically UF Health Shands or HCA Florida North Florida Hospital depending on patient need and EMS protocols.
What you'll need
- For FL DOH Dixie sliding-scale: proof of household income (recent pay stubs, Social Security award letter, SSA-1099) + photo identification
- 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 North Florida Medical Centers sliding-scale: proof of income + Dixie County residency
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 352-498-1360
Renewals
per encounter for UF Health Shands; FL DOH Dixie + NFMC enrollment is ongoing with periodic income recertification
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