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.
People who qualify for one senior program often qualify for others. See everything you may qualify for — free, no SSN, about five minutes.
Discover my benefitsWhat 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
What to say when you call
"Hello, I'm calling to ask about UF Health Shands + Florida Department of Health in Dixie County (Two-Layer Hospital-Less Safety Net). I'd like to know whether I may qualify, what documents I need, and whether I can apply online, by mail, by phone, or in person. I understand I may 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 — is anything else required? What is the best next step?"
Tip: have a pen ready, ask for the person's name, and write down any case or reference number they give you.
Renewals
per encounter for UF Health Shands; FL DOH Dixie + NFMC enrollment is ongoing with periodic income recertification
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Discover my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.