Medicare Supplement Plans in Gilchrist County, Florida: Trenton
What Medicare Supplement plans pay in Gilchrist County in 2026, with cost examples, a cost calculator, local hospitals and free Medicare help
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Medicare in Gilchrist County, Florida
Gilchrist County, a rural county west of Gainesville, has no Medicare-certified hospital and two Medicare-certified nursing homes, both in Trenton, according to CMS data updated in 2026. Residents travel to Gainesville for hospital and emergency care. About 23% of the county’s roughly 20,000 residents are 65 or older. This page shows what Medicare Supplement plans pay here in 2026, with cost examples and a calculator, then lists each hospital and nursing home with its CMS rating and points you to free local Medicare help.
Reviewed by Charles “Chuck” Lunsford, Life & Health insurance agent licensed in Florida since 1994 and in Alabama (NPN 553216).
Verify the license on the Florida Department of Financial Services licensee search using NPN 553216. Last reviewed October 11, 2026. Medicare amounts on this page are checked against CMS figures for 2026.
Gilchrist County at a Glance
| County seat | Trenton |
|---|---|
| Incorporated places | Trenton, Bell and Fanning Springs (part) |
| Population | 20,488 (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025) |
| Residents 65 and older | 23.1% |
| People with Medicare | 4,843 (CMS, June 2026) |
| In Original Medicare, where a Medigap plan can be added | 2,324 (48.0%) |
| In Medicare Advantage or other health plans | 2,519 (52.0%) |
| Medicare-certified hospitals | None in the county; the nearest are in Gainesville |
| Medicare-certified nursing homes | 2 |
| Medicare-certified dialysis facilities | 1 |
| Free Medicare counseling | SHINE, 1-800-963-5337 |
Medicare enrollment comes from CMS Medicare Monthly Enrollment data for June 2026. Facility counts come from CMS Provider Data Catalog datasets released between July and October 2026. Facilities open, close and change names, so confirm details with the facility or on Medicare Care Compare.
Gilchrist County is part of our North Central Florida Medicare Supplement region, west of Gainesville along the Santa Fe and Suwannee rivers. With no hospital in the county, residents rely on Gainesville hospitals about 30 miles away.
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Medicare Supplement Plans in Gilchrist County
Of the 4,843 people with Medicare in Gilchrist County, 2,324 (48.0%) use Original Medicare, according to CMS enrollment data for June 2026. That is the group that can add a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan. The share is higher than the statewide figure of 42.9%. Another 1,378 Gilchrist County residents have a stand-alone Part D drug plan, the type of drug coverage people with a Medigap plan use.
What Matters for Gilchrist County Residents
- No hospital in the county: Every hospital stay for Gilchrist County residents happens in another county, usually Gainesville. A Medicare Supplement plan pays the same way at UF Health Shands, HCA Florida North Florida and any other hospital that accepts Medicare.
- Ambulance transport: Part B covers medically necessary ambulance rides, and you normally pay 20% after the Part B deductible. Plan G and Plan N pay that 20%, which matters when the nearest hospital is 30 miles away.
- Plan N and excess charges: Plan N does not pay Part B excess charges, which apply only when a doctor does not accept Medicare assignment. Ask your doctors whether they accept assignment before comparing Plan N with Plan G.
- Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs: CMS counts 831 Gilchrist County residents with both Medicare and Medicaid. People who qualify for Medicaid usually do not need a Medigap plan, and SHINE counselors can check whether you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program.
Plan details: Plan G | Plan N | High-Deductible Plan G | Plan K | Plan L | Compare all plans
What Care in Gilchrist County Costs With and Without a Medigap Plan
Medicare charges the same deductibles and coinsurance at every hospital and nursing home that accepts it, so the amounts below apply whether you use UF Health Shands Hospital, HCA Florida North Florida Hospital or any other Medicare-certified hospital. The table shows what you would pay in 2026 for medical care, before any plan premium.
| Coverage | Routine year 6 doctor visits and $800 in tests | 4-day stay at a Gainesville hospital plus 8 doctor visits and $1,500 in tests | Hospital stay and rehab the same stay plus 25 days at a Gilchrist County nursing home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Medicare only | $566 | $2,502 | $3,587 |
| Plan G | $283 | $283 | $283 |
| Plan N | $403 | $443 | $443 |
| High-Deductible Plan G | $566 | $2,502 | $2,950 |
| Plan K | $425 | $1,393 | $1,935 |
| Plan L | $354 | $838 | $1,109 |
In the hospital stay and rehab example, Original Medicare alone leaves you with $3,587: the $1,736 Part A deductible, $217 a day for rehab days 21 to 25, the $283 Part B deductible and 20% of the remaining Part B charges. Plan G leaves only the $283 Part B deductible. Plan N adds up to $20 per office visit. High-Deductible Plan G stops at its $2,950 deductible.
Examples assume Medicare-approved amounts of $150 per doctor visit and that every provider accepts Medicare assignment. Plan K and Plan L have yearly out-of-pocket limits of $8,000 and $4,000 in 2026. Premiums vary by carrier, age and ZIP code and are not included.
What would you pay in Gilchrist County in 2026?
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Rehab days 1 to 20 cost nothing under Medicare. Days 21 to 100 cost $217 a day in 2026 unless a plan pays it.
Based on 2026 Medicare amounts: a $1,736 hospital deductible per stay, the $283 Part B deductible, 20% of doctor and outpatient bills and $217 a day for rehab days 21 to 100. Each hospital stay is 4 days, each doctor visit is $150 and tests are included in each example. Assumes your doctors accept Medicare assignment. The Part B premium, $202.90 a month for most people, is the same with or without a plan and is not shown. Drug, dental, vision and hearing costs are not included. Estimates are for education; your costs depend on your care.
Hospitals Serving Gilchrist County
CMS lists no hospital in Gilchrist County, so residents go to neighboring counties for hospital and emergency care. The closest full-service hospitals are in Gainesville in Alachua County, about 30 miles east of Trenton.
Nearest Hospitals Outside Gilchrist County
Both Gainesville hospitals have emergency departments. UF Health Shands is an academic medical center with a wide range of specialists.
| Hospital | County | Address | Phone | CMS overall rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UF Health Shands Hospital | Alachua | 1600 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville, FL 32610 | (352) 265-8000 | 5 of 5 stars | Care Compare | Directions |
| HCA Florida North Florida Hospital | Alachua | 6500 W Newberry Rd, Gainesville, FL 32605 | (352) 333-4100 | 3 of 5 stars | Care Compare | Directions |
Ratings are CMS overall hospital star ratings from the Hospital General Information dataset released August 2026. A star rating is one measure of quality, and Care Compare shows the details behind it.
Map of Medicare-Certified Facilities Serving Gilchrist County
The map shows Gilchrist County’s two nursing homes in Trenton along with the nearest hospitals in Gainesville. Click a marker for the address, phone number and driving directions in Google Maps.
Medicare-Certified Nursing Homes in Gilchrist County
CMS lists two Medicare-certified nursing homes in Gilchrist County, both in Trenton. Tri-County Nursing Home has 81 certified beds and a CMS overall rating of 5 of 5 stars. Ayers Health and Rehabilitation Center has 120 certified beds and 2 stars. Medicare Part A can cover a short skilled nursing stay after a qualifying hospital stay, and most Medicare Supplement plans help with the daily coinsurance for days 21 to 100, $217 per day in 2026. Neither Medicare nor Medigap pays for long-term custodial care.
Show all 2 nursing homes with ratings and directions
| Nursing home | Address | Phone | Certified beds | CMS overall rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ayers Health and Rehabilitation Center | 606 NE 7th St, Trenton, FL 32693 | (352) 463-7101 | 120 | 2 of 5 | Care Compare | Directions |
| Tri-County Nursing Home | 7280 SW State Rd 26, Trenton, FL 32693 | (352) 463-1222 | 81 | 5 of 5 | Care Compare | Directions |
Ratings are CMS overall nursing home ratings from the Provider Information dataset released October 2026. Nursing homes in Alachua and other neighboring counties are also options, so search Care Compare by ZIP code if you need more choices.
Home Health, Hospice and Dialysis in Gilchrist County
- Home health: CMS lists no Medicare-certified home health agency with an office in Gilchrist County. Agencies based in Gainesville and neighboring counties may serve your area, so search by your ZIP code on Medicare Care Compare.
- Hospice: CMS lists no hospice agency based in Gilchrist County. Agencies based in neighboring counties serve the area, so search hospice care on Care Compare by your ZIP code. Medicare Part A covers hospice care, and most Medicare Supplement plans pay the hospice coinsurance.
- Dialysis: CMS lists one dialysis facility in Gilchrist County, Suwannee River Kidney Center at 319 W Wade St, Trenton, (352) 463-2008. Search dialysis facilities on Care Compare for shifts and ratings.
- Doctors: Doctor participation changes often, so use Care Compare’s doctor search and ask the office whether it accepts Medicare assignment. Providers who accept assignment cannot bill you Part B excess charges.
Free Medicare Help in Gilchrist County
These public and nonprofit resources help Gilchrist County residents with Medicare questions at no cost.
| Resource | What it helps with | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) | Free, unbiased Medicare counseling from trained volunteers, run locally by Elder Options, the Mid-Florida Area Agency on Aging | 100 SW 75th Street, Suite 301, Gainesville, FL 32607 1-800-963-5337 floridashine.org |
| Florida Department of Health in Gilchrist County | Public health services, vaccinations and clinic services | 119 NE 1st St, Trenton, FL 32693 (352) 463-3120 gilchrist.floridahealth.gov |
| Social Security Administration | Enrolling in Medicare Parts A and B, Part B premiums and replacement Medicare cards | Find your local office or call 1-800-772-1213 |
| Medicare | Coverage questions, Care Compare and plan information | 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) medicare.gov |
Gilchrist County Medicare FAQs
How many people in Gilchrist County use Original Medicare?
CMS counts 4,843 people with Medicare in Gilchrist County as of June 2026. Of them, 2,324 (48.0%) use Original Medicare, the coverage a Medicare Supplement plan works with, and 2,519 are in Medicare Advantage or other health plans.
What would a hospital stay at a Gainesville hospital cost me with Plan G?
For a 4-day stay in 2026, Original Medicare alone leaves you with the $1,736 Part A deductible. Plan G pays it, along with your Part B coinsurance, so your only Medicare cost for the year is the $283 Part B deductible. The amounts are the same at every hospital that accepts Medicare.
Does Medicare cover an ambulance ride to a Gainesville hospital?
Medicare Part B covers medically necessary ambulance transport to the nearest appropriate facility. After the $283 Part B deductible you normally pay 20% of the approved amount. Plan G and Plan N pay that 20%.
Should Gilchrist County residents choose Plan G or Plan N?
Both cover hospital costs in full. Plan N charges up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for ER visits that do not lead to an admission, and it does not cover Part B excess charges. If your doctors accept Medicare assignment, excess charges do not apply. Use the calculator on this page with your own quotes to compare.
When should I buy a Medicare Supplement plan?
The best time is usually your six-month Medigap open enrollment period, which starts the month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During it, carriers cannot deny you or charge more because of your health.
Will my Medicare Supplement plan cover care in Gainesville?
Yes. Medicare Supplement plans work with any doctor or hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare, so the same plan covers care in Gainesville or anywhere else. There are no provider networks.
Is there a hospital in Gilchrist County?
No. CMS lists no hospital in Gilchrist County. The nearest are UF Health Shands Hospital and HCA Florida North Florida Hospital in Gainesville, both with emergency departments.
Where can I get free Medicare counseling in Gilchrist County?
SHINE offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling through Elder Options, the Mid-Florida Area Agency on Aging. Call 1-800-963-5337.
Sources
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026, August 13). Hospital General Information [Data set]. Provider Data Catalog.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026, October 8). Nursing Home Provider Information [Data set]. Provider Data Catalog.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026, August 26). Hospice General Information [Data set]. Provider Data Catalog.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026, July 15). Home Health Care Agencies [Data set]. Provider Data Catalog.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026, July 15). Dialysis Facility Listing by Facility [Data set]. Provider Data Catalog.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2025, November 14). 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles [Fact sheet].
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Choosing a Medigap Policy: A Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare. Medicare.gov. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare Care Compare. Medicare.gov. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- U.S. Census Bureau. QuickFacts: Gilchrist County, Florida (population estimates, July 1, 2025). Accessed October 9, 2026.
- Florida Department of Elder Affairs. SHINE: Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- Florida Department of Health in Gilchrist County. Florida Department of Health in Gilchrist County. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- Medicare.gov. Ambulance services. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2026). Medicare Monthly Enrollment [Data set], June 2026 county data. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2025, October). Medigap High-Deductible Options for Plans F, G and J, 2026 [Announcement].
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Compare Medigap Plan Benefits. Medicare.gov. Accessed October 11, 2026.
- Florida Department of Financial Services. Licensee Search. Accessed October 9, 2026.
Compare Medicare Supplement Plans in Gilchrist County
Plan benefits are the same from every carrier, but premiums in Gilchrist County vary by carrier, ZIP code and age. A side-by-side comparison for your ZIP code shows which carriers offer the plan you want and how their prices and rate histories compare.
Start with our Medicare Supplement plan comparison or talk with a licensed Medicare specialist below.
Towns We Serve in Gilchrist County
Medicare Supplement plans work the same way in every Gilchrist County town: the benefits for each plan letter are set by federal law, you can see any doctor or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare, and your premium depends on your ZIP code, age, sex and tobacco use. Use the estimator above with your own ZIP code to see the rates filed for your area.
Medicare Supplement Plans in Trenton
The Gilchrist County seat, a small farming town where hospital and specialty care usually means a drive to Gainesville. About 2,320 people live in Trenton, and about 284 of them are 65 or older (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020–2024 American Community Survey). The nearest Medicare-certified hospital on our county map is HCA Florida North Florida Hospital in Gainesville, about 25 miles away in a straight line.
Have a question about coverage in your town? Request a free quote or call and a licensed agent will walk you through it.
Communities in Gilchrist County
I help people with Medicare Supplement plans in every city, town and community in Gilchrist County.
- Bell
- Spring Ridge
- Trenton
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MedicareSupplementsOnly.com is owned and operated by Charles “Chuck” Lunsford, a Life & Health insurance agent licensed in Florida (License A169316, active since 1994) and in Alabama as a nonresident agent. National Producer Number (NPN): 553216.
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Content Review
Content reviewed by Charles “Chuck” Lunsford, Licensed Life & Health Agent, Florida License A169316 and Alabama, NPN 553216