Medicare Supplement Plans in Columbia County, Florida: Lake City
What Medicare Supplement plans pay in Columbia County in 2026, with cost examples, a cost calculator, local hospitals and free Medicare help
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Medicare in Columbia County, Florida
Columbia County, in north Florida where Interstates 10 and 75 meet, has one Medicare-certified general hospital, HCA Florida Lake City Hospital, along with the Lake City VA Medical Center, an inpatient rehabilitation hospital and four Medicare-certified nursing homes, according to CMS data updated in 2026. About 23% of its roughly 74,000 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.
Columbia County at a Glance
| County seat | Lake City |
|---|---|
| Incorporated city and town | Lake City and Fort White |
| Other communities | Ellisville, Five Points, Lulu and Watertown |
| Population | 74,094 (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025) |
| Residents 65 and older | 22.9% |
| People with Medicare | 18,534 (CMS, June 2026) |
| In Original Medicare, where a Medigap plan can be added | 8,920 (48.1%) |
| In Medicare Advantage or other health plans | 9,614 (51.9%) |
| Veterans | 6,180 (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 to 2024 estimate) |
| Medicare-certified hospitals | 1 general hospital, plus the Lake City VA Medical Center |
| Rehabilitation hospitals | 1 |
| Medicare-certified nursing homes | 4 |
| Medicare-certified dialysis facilities | 2 |
| Medicare-certified home health agencies with offices in the county | 5 |
| 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.
Columbia County is part of our North Central Florida Medicare Supplement region. Lake City serves as a medical hub for the surrounding rural counties, and residents travel to Gainesville, about 45 miles south, for academic and specialty care.
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Medicare Supplement Plans in Columbia County
Of the 18,534 people with Medicare in Columbia County, 8,920 (48.1%) 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 5,158 Columbia County residents have a stand-alone Part D drug plan, the type of drug coverage people with a Medigap plan use.
What Matters for Columbia County Residents
- Veterans and VA care: Columbia County has about 6,200 veterans and its own VA medical center. VA care and Medicare are separate, so a Medigap plan covers your share of costs when you use Medicare at a non-VA hospital or doctor.
- Specialists in Gainesville: Many Columbia County residents see specialists at UF Health Shands and other Gainesville hospitals. Medigap has no networks or referrals, so the same plan works there and in Lake City.
- 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 3,943 Columbia 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 Columbia 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 HCA Florida Lake City Hospital, a Gainesville 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 HCA Florida Lake City Hospital plus 8 doctor visits and $1,500 in tests | Hospital stay and rehab the same stay plus 25 days at a Columbia 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 Columbia 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 in Columbia County
HCA Florida Lake City Hospital is Columbia County’s only general hospital that accepts Medicare, and it held a CMS overall rating of 3 of 5 stars in the August 2026 data. Shands Lake Shore Regional Medical Center in Lake City closed in August 2020.
The Lake City VA Medical Center, part of the VA North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System, serves eligible veterans. ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Lake City provides inpatient rehabilitation after a hospital stay.
Show all 2 hospitals with ratings, phone numbers and directions
| Hospital | Type | Address | Phone | CMS overall rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HCA Florida Lake City Hospital | Acute care | 340 NW Commerce Dr, Lake City, FL 32055 | (386) 719-9000 | 3 of 5 stars | Care Compare | Directions |
| Lake City VA Medical Center | VA medical center | 619 South Marion Avenue, Lake City, FL 32025 | (386) 755-3016 | Not rated | Care Compare | Directions |
Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care Hospitals
| Facility | Type | Address | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Lake City | Inpatient rehabilitation | 198 SW Real Terrace, Lake City, FL 32056 | Care Compare | Directions |
Gainesville Hospitals Near Columbia County
For surgery, cancer care and other specialty services, many Columbia County residents travel to Gainesville, about 45 miles south of Lake City.
| 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. VA care and Medicare are separate benefits, and you choose which to use each time you get care.
Map of Medicare-Certified Facilities in and Near Columbia County
The map shows Columbia County’s hospitals, rehabilitation hospital, nursing homes and dialysis centers, along with the Gainesville hospitals many residents use. Click a marker for the address, phone number and driving directions in Google Maps.
Medicare-Certified Nursing Homes in Columbia County
CMS lists four Medicare-certified nursing homes in Columbia County, all in Lake City. 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 4 nursing homes with ratings and directions
| Nursing home | Address | Phone | Certified beds | CMS overall rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baya Pointe Nursing and Rehabilitation Center | 587 SE Ermine Ave, Lake City, FL 32025 | (386) 752-7800 | 90 | 2 of 5 | Care Compare | Directions |
| Lake City Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center | 298 SW Prosperity Place, Lake City, FL 32024 | (386) 269-3900 | 113 | 2 of 5 | Care Compare | Directions |
| Lake Montgomery Health and Rehabilitation Center | 1270 SW Main Blvd, Lake City, FL 32055 | (386) 752-7900 | 95 | 3 of 5 | Care Compare | Directions |
| Solaris HealthCare Lake City | 560 SW McFarlane Ave, Lake City, FL 32055 | (386) 758-4777 | 120 | 4 of 5 | Care Compare | Directions |
Ratings are CMS overall nursing home ratings from the Provider Information dataset released October 2026. Nursing homes in neighboring counties are also options, so search Care Compare by ZIP code if you need more choices.
Home Health, Hospice and Dialysis in Columbia County
- Home health: CMS lists five Medicare-certified home health agencies with offices in Columbia County, all in Lake City. Agencies serve areas rather than single addresses, so search by your ZIP code on Medicare Care Compare to see which ones serve your home, with their ratings.
- Hospice: CMS lists no hospice agency based in Columbia County. Hospice 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 two dialysis facilities in Lake City: DaVita Columbia County Dialysis and FMC Lake City West. 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 Columbia County
These public and nonprofit resources help Columbia 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 |
| Elder Options Elder Helpline | Information on local senior services, meals, caregiver support and in-home help | 1-800-262-2243 agingresources.org |
| Florida Department of Health in Columbia County | Public health services, vaccinations and clinic locations | 217 NE Franklin St, Lake City, FL 32055 (386) 758-1068 columbia.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 |
Columbia County Medicare FAQs
How many people in Columbia County use Original Medicare?
CMS counts 18,534 people with Medicare in Columbia County as of June 2026. Of them, 8,920 (48.1%) use Original Medicare, the coverage a Medicare Supplement plan works with, and 9,614 are in Medicare Advantage or other health plans.
What would a hospital stay at HCA Florida Lake City 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.
Can veterans use both VA care and a Medicare Supplement plan?
Yes. VA health care and Medicare are separate benefits, and you choose which to use each time you get care. A Medicare Supplement plan helps with costs when you use Medicare at a non-VA hospital or doctor, but it does not pay for care at the VA.
Should Columbia 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 Lake City, Gainesville, Jacksonville or anywhere else. There are no provider networks.
How many hospitals are in Columbia County?
CMS lists one general hospital, HCA Florida Lake City Hospital, along with the Lake City VA Medical Center for eligible veterans and ClearSky Rehabilitation Hospital of Lake City. Shands Lake Shore Regional Medical Center closed in August 2020.
Where can I get free Medicare counseling in Columbia County?
SHINE offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling through Elder Options, the Mid-Florida Area Agency on Aging. Call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-262-2243 or SHINE at 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, September 23). Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility General 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: Columbia 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.
- Elder Options. Elder Options, the Mid-Florida Area Agency on Aging. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- Florida Department of Health in Columbia County. Main Office. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- Becker’s Hospital Review. (2020, August 31). Florida Hospital Closes Aug. 31.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA Health Care and Other Insurance. 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 Columbia County
Plan benefits are the same from every carrier, but premiums in Columbia 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 Columbia County
Medicare Supplement plans work the same way in every Columbia 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 Lake City
The Columbia County seat and a regional health care and service center for North Florida. About 12,515 people live in Lake City, and about 2,245 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 Lake City Hospital in Lake City, about 3 miles away in a straight line.
Medicare Supplement Plans in Fort White
A small rural community in southern Columbia County near the Ichetucknee and Santa Fe rivers. About 531 people live in Fort White, and about 115 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 Lake City Hospital in Lake City, about 18 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 Columbia County
I help people with Medicare Supplement plans in every city, town and community in Columbia County.
- Five Points
- Fort White
- Lake City
- Watertown
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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