Medicare Supplement Plans and Medicare Resources in Alachua County, Florida
What Medicare Supplement plans pay in Alachua County in 2026, with cost examples, a cost calculator, local hospitals and free Medicare help
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Medicare in Alachua County, Florida
Alachua County, home to Gainesville and the University of Florida, has two Medicare-certified general hospitals, including UF Health Shands Hospital, plus the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, an inpatient rehabilitation hospital, a long-term care hospital and nine Medicare-certified nursing homes, according to CMS data updated in 2026. About 17% of its roughly 290,000 residents are 65 or older. Gainesville is also where many people from surrounding rural counties come for specialists and hospital care. 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.
Alachua County at a Glance
| County seat | Gainesville |
|---|---|
| Largest city | Gainesville |
| Incorporated cities and towns | Alachua, Archer, Gainesville, Hawthorne, High Springs, La Crosse, Micanopy, Newberry and Waldo |
| Population | 290,028 (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025) |
| Residents 65 and older | 17.2% |
| People with Medicare | 54,533 (CMS, June 2026) |
| In Original Medicare, where a Medigap plan can be added | 31,733 (58.2%) |
| In Medicare Advantage or other health plans | 22,800 (41.8%) |
| Medicare-certified hospitals | 2, plus the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, 1 inpatient rehabilitation hospital and 1 long-term care hospital |
| Medicare-certified nursing homes | 9 |
| Medicare-certified dialysis facilities | 10 |
| Medicare-certified home health agencies with offices in the county | 11 |
| 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.
Alachua County is part of our North Central Florida Medicare Supplement region, where Gainesville provides hospital and specialist care for residents of the surrounding counties.
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Medicare Supplement Plans in Alachua County
Of the 54,533 people with Medicare in Alachua County, 31,733 (58.2%) 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 18,625 Alachua County residents have a stand-alone Part D drug plan, the type of drug coverage people with a Medigap plan use.
What Matters for Alachua County Residents
- An academic medical center next door: UF Health Shands Hospital draws patients from across North Central Florida for specialist care. Medigap has no networks, so you can see any Shands or community specialist who accepts Medicare without referrals.
- Veterans: Many Alachua County veterans use the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center. VA care and Medicare are separate benefits, and a Medigap plan pays only toward Medicare-covered care, so compare how often you use each before buying.
- Rural parts of the county: Residents of High Springs, Newberry, Hawthorne and Micanopy drive into Gainesville for most hospital care. Medicare Part B covers emergency ambulance trips, and Plan G pays the 20% coinsurance after the Part B deductible.
- Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs: CMS counts 8,459 Alachua 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 Alachua 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 in the county. 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 UF Health Shands Hospital plus 8 doctor visits and $1,500 in tests | Hospital stay and rehab the same stay plus 25 days at a Alachua 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 Alachua County in 2026?
Pick the year that sounds most like yours. The bars show what you would pay out of your own pocket for medical care, with and without a Medicare Supplement plan.
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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 Alachua County
CMS lists three hospitals in Alachua County, all in Gainesville. UF Health Shands Hospital is the University of Florida’s academic medical center and the main referral hospital for complex care across North Central Florida. HCA Florida North Florida Hospital serves west Gainesville and nearby communities. The Malcom Randall VA Medical Center serves enrolled veterans.
The county also has an inpatient rehabilitation hospital and a long-term care hospital for patients who need more recovery care after a hospital stay. Some hospital systems report more than one campus under a single Medicare listing, so a campus you know may appear under its parent hospital’s name.
Show all 3 hospitals with ratings, phone numbers and directions
| Hospital | Type | Address | Phone | CMS overall rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HCA Florida North Florida Hospital | Acute care | 6500 W Newberry Rd, Gainesville, FL 32605 | (352) 333-4100 | 3 of 5 stars | Care Compare | Directions |
| UF Health Shands Hospital | Acute care | 1600 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville, FL 32610 | (352) 265-8000 | 5 of 5 stars | Care Compare | Directions |
| Malcom Randall VA Medical Center | VA medical center | 1601 S W Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608 | (352) 376-1611 | 4 of 5 stars | Care Compare | Directions |
Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care Hospitals
Show 2 rehabilitation and long-term care hospitals with directions
| Facility | Type | Address | Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| UF Health Rehabilitation Hospital | Inpatient rehabilitation | 2708 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608 | Care Compare | Directions |
| Select Specialty Hospital Gainesville | Long-term care hospital | 1600 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville, FL 32610 | 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 Alachua County
The map shows Alachua County’s hospitals, rehabilitation and long-term care hospitals, nursing homes and its hospice office. Click a marker for the address, phone number and driving directions in Google Maps.
Medicare-Certified Nursing Homes in Alachua County
CMS lists nine Medicare-certified nursing homes in Alachua County, all in Gainesville. 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 9 nursing homes with ratings and directions
| Nursing home | Address | Phone | Certified beds | CMS overall rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Crest at North Florida | 6700 NW 10th Place, Gainesville, FL 32605 | (352) 331-3111 | 120 | 1 of 5 | Care Compare | Directions |
| Gainesville Health and Rehabilitation | 4000 SW 20th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32607 | (352) 377-1981 | 120 | 1 of 5 | Care Compare | Directions |
| Magnolia Ridge Health and Rehabilitation Center | 6517 NW 39th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32606 | (678) 592-3396 | 223 | 4 of 5 | Care Compare | Directions |
| Oak Hammock at the University of Florida | 2660 SW 53rd Ln, Gainesville, FL 32608 | (352) 548-1142 | 73 | 5 of 5 | Care Compare | Directions |
| Palm Garden of Gainesville | 227 SW 62nd Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32607 | (352) 331-0601 | 150 | 4 of 5 | Care Compare | Directions |
| Park Meadows Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center | 3250 SW 41st Place, Gainesville, FL 32608 | (352) 378-1558 | 148 | 2 of 5 | Care Compare | Directions |
| Parklands Care Center and Rehab | 1000 SW 16th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601 | (352) 376-2461 | 120 | 4 of 5 | Care Compare | Directions |
| Plaza Health and Rehab | 4842 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32608 | (352) 376-8821 | 180 | 5 of 5 | Care Compare | Directions |
| Terrace Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center | 7207 SW 24th Ave, Gainesville, FL 32608 | (352) 333-0600 | 138 | 5 of 5 | Care Compare | Directions |
Ratings are CMS overall nursing home ratings from the Provider Information dataset released October 2026. Some facilities, such as those inside continuing care retirement communities, may limit admission to their own residents. Call to confirm.
Home Health, Hospice and Dialysis in Alachua County
- Home health: CMS lists 11 Medicare-certified home health agencies with offices in Alachua County, most of them in Gainesville. 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: Haven Hospice is based in Gainesville at 4200 NW 90th Blvd (Care Compare, havenhospice.com). Other hospice agencies may also serve the county.
- Dialysis: CMS lists 10 Medicare-certified dialysis facilities in Alachua County, including home dialysis programs, in Gainesville and the city of Alachua. Search dialysis facilities on Care Compare for locations, 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 Alachua County
These public and nonprofit resources help Alachua 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 Alachua County | Public health services, vaccinations and clinic locations | 224 SE 24th St, Gainesville, FL 32641 (352) 334-7900 alachua.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 |
Alachua County Medicare FAQs
How many people in Alachua County use Original Medicare?
CMS counts 54,533 people with Medicare in Alachua County as of June 2026. Of them, 31,733 (58.2%) use Original Medicare, the coverage a Medicare Supplement plan works with, and 22,800 are in Medicare Advantage or other health plans.
What would a hospital stay at UF Health Shands 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 have both VA health 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. VA benefits are used at VA locations such as the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, while Original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement plan work with non-VA doctors and hospitals that accept Medicare.
Should Alachua 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.
Where can I get free Medicare counseling in Alachua County?
SHINE offers free, unbiased Medicare counseling through Elder Options, the Mid-Florida Area Agency on Aging, at 100 SW 75th Street, Suite 301, Gainesville. Call the Elder Helpline at 1-800-262-2243 or SHINE at 1-800-963-5337.
How many Medicare-certified hospitals are in Alachua County?
CMS lists two Medicare-certified general hospitals in Alachua County, UF Health Shands Hospital and HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, both in Gainesville. The county also has the Malcom Randall VA Medical Center for enrolled veterans, the UF Health Rehabilitation Hospital and Select Specialty Hospital Gainesville, a long-term care hospital.
How many Medicare-certified nursing homes are in Alachua County?
CMS lists nine Medicare-certified nursing homes in Alachua County as of its October 2026 data, all located in Gainesville.
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, September 23). Long-Term Care Hospital 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: Alachua 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 Alachua County. Florida Department of Health in Alachua County. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 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 Alachua County
Plan benefits are the same from every carrier, but premiums in Alachua 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 Alachua County
Medicare Supplement plans work the same way in every Alachua 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 Alachua
A small city in northern Alachua County, a short drive from Gainesville's hospitals. About 10,743 people live in Alachua, and about 2,107 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 8 miles away in a straight line.
Medicare Supplement Plans in Newberry
A small farming city west of Gainesville that is growing as a residential area. About 7,865 people live in Newberry, and about 1,005 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 11 miles away in a straight line.
Medicare Supplement Plans in High Springs
A small city near the Santa Fe River and its springs, in northwest Alachua County. About 6,544 people live in High Springs, and about 1,058 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 14 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 Alachua County
I help people with Medicare Supplement plans in every city, town and community in Alachua County, including these with their own local pages.
- Alachua
- Archer
- Hawthorne
- High Springs
- LaCrosse
- Micanopy
- Newberry
- Waldo
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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.
Insurance product descriptions on this site are provided for informational and marketing purposes only. The policy and any riders issued by the insurer contain the full terms, conditions, exclusions, and limitations. Eligibility, rates, and benefits are determined by the issuing carrier and may change over time.
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Content Review
Content reviewed by Charles “Chuck” Lunsford, Licensed Life & Health Agent, Florida License A169316 and Alabama, NPN 553216