Benefits · Healthcare
How to apply for HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital Financial Assistance
HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital — HCA Healthcare-operated private for-profit hospital serving Okeechobee County and the surrounding rural Lake Okeechobee region
Who it's for
HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital (Okeechobee) is the dominant hospital in Okeechobee County and the surrounding rural Lake Okeechobee region, operated by HCA Healthcare. Okeechobee does NOT have a public hospital district, a county-funded indigent health coverage plan, or Cleveland Clinic Florida coverage (which is geographically limited to Broward, Indian River, Martin, and St. Lucie counties — not Okeechobee). For low-income uninsured Okeechobee 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 (Cleveland Clinic Florida next door at 100-400% FPG, AdventHealth at 250% FPL, public-district peers at 200% FPL with broader services). Apply by contacting Raulerson Hospital Financial Counseling directly or through hcafloridahealthcare.com/patients-visitors/financial-resources.
HCA Healthcare's financial assistance is structurally LESS GENEROUS than the policies at peer nonprofit and public-district hospitals across the FL cluster. Okeechobee residents with significant non-emergent medical needs may benefit from receiving care across the county line at neighboring Cleveland Clinic Florida facilities (Martin North Hospital in Stuart, Martin South Hospital in Stuart, Tradition Hospital in Port St. Lucie) — though Cleveland Clinic Florida's geographic eligibility excludes Okeechobee residents from non-emergency assistance. 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. Raulerson Hospital phone (863) 763-2151. The Okeechobee Senior Services Department (863-462-5180) may also be able to help coordinate non-emergency care logistics across county lines.
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 Okeechobee County residency
- Documentation that you are uninsured or that your insurance coverage is exhausted
- Completed HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital Financial Assistance Application
Where to apply
Apply online: official application
By phone: 863-763-2151
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.