How to apply for HCA Florida Lake City Hospital Financial Assistance (Suwannee County Coverage)

Who it's for

Suwannee County's hospital safety net is provided by HCA Florida Lake City Hospital in neighboring Columbia County — Suwannee does NOT have its own acute-care hospital. HCA Florida Lake City explicitly serves a THREE-COUNTY area (Columbia + Hamilton + Suwannee). The hospital follows the HCA Florida Healthcare system-wide Financial Assistance Policy: patients who received non-elective care, do not qualify for state or federal assistance, and have income between 0% and 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) qualify for a 100% charity discount (with documentation). For patients with balances greater than $1,500 whose documented income is between 201% and 400% FPL, the expanded financial assistance policy may reduce the amount owed via sliding-scale discount. The Uninsured Discount applies to patients with no third-party payer source. HCA requires that all federal, state, and third-party payer sources be billed and resolved before charity is applied. Geographic reality: Live Oak (Suwannee County seat) to HCA Florida Lake City Hospital is approximately 25-35 minutes by car or via SVTA paratransit (fl.suwannee.svta_transit). For tertiary or complex care beyond the 141-bed facility's scope, patients are referred to UF Health Shands (Gainesville) or HCA Florida North Florida Hospital (Gainesville). Apply via the HCA Florida system or via the Lake City hospital business office. Main number: 386-719-9000.

What you'll need

• Completed HCA Florida Patient Financial Assistance Application
• Proof of household income (recent pay stubs, Social Security award letter, tax return, SSA-1099)
• Proof of family/household size
• Photo identification
• Documentation of insurance status (denial letter, Medicaid denial, or proof of uninsured status)
• For inpatient + Medicare accounts: full income verification required

Where to apply

Renewals

per encounter; documentation refresh required for ongoing patients