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 1-888-766-8154 (UF Health Financial Assistance, Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30).
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.
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 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: 1-888-766-8154
What to say when you call
"Hello, I'm calling to ask about UF Health Shands + Florida Department of Health in Union 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 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 — 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 Union enrollment is ongoing
Not sure if you qualify? Run a free check first.
Discover my benefitsNot legal or financial advice. The agency makes the final eligibility decision.