Benefits · Healthcare
How to apply for UF Health Shands + Florida Department of Health in Union County (Two-Layer Hospital-Less Safety Net)
Two-layer healthcare safety net for hospital-less Union County: (1) Florida Department of Health in Union County — primary care, public health services, and sliding-scale fees in Lake Butler; (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) — Union seniors travel approximately 45-60 minutes southeast to Gainesville for hospital care
Who it's for
Union County has NO acute-care hospital of its own — Union's safety-net healthcare is structured as a two-layer model. LOCAL PRIMARY CARE: The Florida Department of Health in Union County provides primary care, public health services, and a sliding-fee scale based on income from its location in Lake Butler. HOSPITAL-LEVEL CARE: Union 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. Union seniors can also use the UF Health Family Medical Group Starke (in neighboring Bradford County, about 20 minutes east) as an alternative UF Health-system primary care option. For Union seniors, SREC Transportation (fl.union.srec_transportation) is the practical mobility link to Gainesville. Apply for UF Health Shands FAP by calling 352-265-7906.
Union County's lack of an in-county acute-care hospital makes the two-layer safety net structurally important. Union seniors have a meaningful alternative: UF Health Family Medical Group Starke (in adjacent Bradford County, about 20 minutes east) provides UF Health-system primary care — a closer option than traveling all the way to Gainesville. UF Health Shands' 185% FPL threshold is STRICTER than peer FL hospitals. The 45% uninsured self-pay discount applies as a baseline. For non-emergency hospital care, advance scheduling and SREC Transportation coordination are essential. For emergency care, 911 dispatch will route to the appropriate Gainesville facility.
What you'll need
- For FL DOH Union sliding-scale: proof of household income + photo identification
- For UF Health Shands FAP application: Completed UF Health Financial Assistance Application + 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; FL DOH Union enrollment is ongoing
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Find my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.