Medicare Supplement Plans and Medicare Resources in Putnam County, Florida
What Medicare Supplement plans pay in Putnam County in 2026, with cost examples, a cost calculator, local hospitals and free Medicare help
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Medicare in Putnam County, Florida
Putnam County, on the St. Johns River between Gainesville and St. Augustine, has one Medicare-certified hospital, HCA Florida Putnam Hospital in Palatka, and three Medicare-certified nursing homes, according to CMS data updated in 2026. About 26% of its roughly 78,000 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.
Putnam County at a Glance
| County seat | Palatka |
|---|---|
| Incorporated places | Palatka, Crescent City, Interlachen, Pomona Park and Welaka |
| Population | 77,734 (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025) |
| Residents 65 and older | 26.0% |
| People with Medicare | 21,841 (CMS, June 2026) |
| In Original Medicare, where a Medigap plan can be added | 9,214 (42.2%) |
| In Medicare Advantage or other health plans | 12,627 (57.8%) |
| Medicare-certified hospitals | 1 acute care hospital with an emergency department |
| Medicare-certified nursing homes | 3 |
| Medicare-certified dialysis facilities | 2 |
| Free Medicare counseling | SHINE through Elder Options, 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.
Putnam County is the southwest corner of our Northeast Florida Medicare Supplement region, centered on Palatka and the St. Johns River, with Crescent City, Interlachen and Welaka in the outlying parts of the county. Its hospital is in Palatka, and hospitals in Gainesville, Clay County, Palm Coast and Jacksonville are within driving distance.
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Medicare Supplement Plans in Putnam County
Of the 21,841 people with Medicare in Putnam County, 9,214 (42.2%) 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 close to the statewide figure of 42.9%. Another 5,589 Putnam County residents have a stand-alone Part D drug plan, the type of drug coverage people with a Medigap plan use.
What Matters for Putnam County Residents
- One local hospital, many choices nearby: Putnam County has one hospital, and residents can also see specialists in Gainesville, Jacksonville or Palm Coast. A Medicare Supplement plan pays the same way at all of them, with no networks to check.
- Original Medicare share: CMS counts 9,214 Putnam County residents in Original Medicare, 42.2% of the county’s Medicare population, close to the statewide share of about 43%.
- 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 4,579 Putnam 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 Putnam 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 Putnam Hospital, UF Health Shands in Gainesville 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 Putnam Hospital plus 8 doctor visits and $1,500 in tests | Hospital stay and rehab the same stay plus 25 days at a Putnam 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 Putnam 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.
Medicare-Certified Hospital in Putnam County
HCA Florida Putnam Hospital in Palatka is Putnam County’s only hospital. It is an acute care hospital with an emergency department and holds a CMS overall rating of 2 of 5 stars.
| Hospital | Type | Address | Phone | CMS overall rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HCA Florida Putnam Hospital | Acute care | 611 Zeagler Dr, Palatka, FL 32177 | (386) 328-5711 | 2 of 5 stars | Care Compare | Directions |
Nearby Hospitals in Neighboring Counties
For specialists and more advanced care, Putnam County residents can use hospitals in neighboring counties. Three are listed here, and each county page lists the rest.
| 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 |
| Ascension St. Vincent’s Clay County | Clay | 1670 St. Vincents Way, Middleburg, FL 32068 | (904) 602-1000 | 3 of 5 stars | Care Compare | Directions |
| AdventHealth Palm Coast | Flagler | 60 Memorial Medical Pkwy, Palm Coast, FL 32164 | (386) 586-2000 | 5 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 in and Near Putnam County
The map shows HCA Florida Putnam Hospital, the county’s nursing homes in Palatka and Crescent City and three hospitals in neighboring counties. The two Palatka dialysis centers are listed below but not mapped. Click a marker for the address, phone number and driving directions in Google Maps.
Medicare-Certified Nursing Homes in Putnam County
CMS lists three Medicare-certified nursing homes in Putnam County with 337 certified beds. Radiant Nursing and Rehab at Palatka and The Pavilion at Crescent Lake in Crescent City hold a CMS overall rating of 4 of 5 stars, and Palatka Center for Rehabilitation and Healing holds 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 3 nursing homes with ratings and directions
| Nursing home | Address | Phone | Certified beds | CMS overall rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palatka Center for Rehabilitation and Healing | 110 Kay Larkin Dr, Palatka, FL 32177 | (386) 325-0173 | 180 | 2 of 5 | Care Compare | Directions |
| Radiant Nursing and Rehab at Palatka | 501 S Palm Ave, Palatka, FL 32177 | (386) 328-1472 | 65 | 4 of 5 | Care Compare | Directions |
| The Pavilion at Crescent Lake | 100 N Lake St, Crescent City, FL 32112 | (386) 698-2222 | 92 | 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 Putnam County
- Home health: CMS lists one Medicare-certified home health agency with an office in Putnam County, Brooks Rehabilitation Home Health in Palatka. Agencies based in neighboring counties may also serve your home, so search by your ZIP code on Medicare Care Compare.
- Hospice: CMS lists no hospice agency based in Putnam 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 two dialysis facilities in Putnam County, both in Palatka: BMA Palatka at 6541 St. Johns Ave, (386) 328-6600, and DaVita Palatka Dialysis at 326 Zeagler Dr, (386) 329-9458. Dialysis is a Part B service, so the 20% coinsurance applies, and every Medigap plan helps pay it.
- 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 Putnam County
These public and nonprofit resources help Putnam 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 Putnam County | Public health services, vaccinations and clinic services | 2801 Kennedy St, Palatka, FL 32177 (386) 326-3200 putnam.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 |
Putnam County Medicare FAQs
How many people in Putnam County use Original Medicare?
CMS counts 21,841 people with Medicare in Putnam County as of June 2026. Of them, 9,214 (42.2%) use Original Medicare, the coverage a Medicare Supplement plan works with, and 12,627 are in Medicare Advantage or other health plans.
What would a hospital stay at HCA Florida Putnam 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.
Will my Medicare Supplement plan cover care in Gainesville or Jacksonville?
Yes. Medicare Supplement plans work with any doctor or hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare, so the same plan covers care in Palatka, Gainesville, Jacksonville or anywhere else. There are no networks to worry about.
Should Putnam 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.
Does Medicare cover a transfer from HCA Florida Putnam Hospital to a larger 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, and Plan G and Plan N pay that 20%. A new hospital admission is covered under Part A.
Is there a hospital in Putnam County?
Yes. HCA Florida Putnam Hospital in Palatka is the county’s only hospital, an acute care hospital with an emergency department and a CMS overall rating of 2 of 5 stars. Hospitals in Gainesville, Clay County, Palm Coast and Jacksonville are also options.
Where can I get free Medicare counseling in Putnam 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, 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: Putnam 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. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- Florida Department of Health in Putnam County. About Us. 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 Putnam County
Plan benefits are the same from every carrier, but premiums in Putnam 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 Putnam County
Medicare Supplement plans work the same way in every Putnam 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 Crescent City
A small historic town on Lake Crescent near the St. Johns River. About 1,944 people live in Crescent City, and about 445 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 Putnam Hospital in Palatka, about 18 miles away in a straight line.
Medicare Supplement Plans in Interlachen
A small lakes-region community in western Putnam County with a large share of retirees. About 1,923 people live in Interlachen, and about 348 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 Putnam Hospital in Palatka, about 12 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 Putnam County
I help people with Medicare Supplement plans in every city, town and community in Putnam County, including these with their own local pages.
- Crescent City
- Interlachen
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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