Medicare Supplement Plans in Union County, Florida: Lake Butler
What Medicare Supplement plans pay in Union County in 2026, with cost examples, a cost calculator, local hospitals and free Medicare help
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Medicare in Union County, Florida
Union County, a small rural county north of Gainesville, has one Medicare-certified hospital, Lake Butler Hospital, and no Medicare-certified nursing home, according to CMS data updated in 2026. About 17% of its roughly 16,000 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.
Union County at a Glance
| County seat | Lake Butler |
|---|---|
| Incorporated city and towns | Lake Butler, Raiford and Worthington Springs |
| Population | 16,250 (U.S. Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025) |
| Residents 65 and older | 17.1% |
| People with Medicare | 2,555 (CMS, June 2026) |
| In Original Medicare, where a Medigap plan can be added | 1,239 (48.5%) |
| In Medicare Advantage or other health plans | 1,316 (51.5%) |
| Medicare-certified hospitals | 1 critical access hospital with an emergency department |
| Medicare-certified nursing homes | None in the county; the nearest are in Starke and Lake City |
| Medicare-certified dialysis facilities | 0 |
| 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.
Union County is part of our North Central Florida Medicare Supplement region, a small rural county between Lake City and Gainesville bounded by the Santa Fe and New rivers. Its small hospital is in Lake Butler, and residents travel to Gainesville or Lake City for specialists, nursing home care and more advanced treatment.
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Medicare Supplement Plans in Union County
Of the 2,555 people with Medicare in Union County, 1,239 (48.5%) 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 606 Union County residents have a stand-alone Part D drug plan, the type of drug coverage people with a Medigap plan use.
What Matters for Union County Residents
- Care across county lines: Many Union County residents see specialists in Gainesville or Lake City. A Medicare Supplement plan pays the same way at all of them, with no networks to check.
- Transfers and ambulance rides: 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 for transfers from a small hospital to a larger one.
- 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 504 Union 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 Union 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 Lake Butler Hospital, UF Health Shands 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 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 Union 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 Union 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 Union County
Lake Butler Hospital is the county’s only hospital. It is a critical access hospital with an emergency department. Critical access hospitals are small rural hospitals, and many are too small to receive a CMS overall star rating, which is the case here. For planned surgery or specialty care, talk with your doctor about which hospital fits your needs.
| Hospital | Type | Address | Phone | CMS overall rating | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Butler Hospital | Critical access | 850 E Main St, Lake Butler, FL 32054 | (386) 496-2323 | Not rated | Care Compare | Directions |
Nearest Larger Hospitals Outside Union County
For specialists and more advanced care, residents usually go south to Gainesville or west to Lake City. The Malcom Randall VA Medical Center serves eligible veterans; Medicare generally does not pay for care at VA facilities, so veterans with both should know which coverage applies.
| 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 |
| Malcom Randall VA Medical Center | Alachua | 1601 SW Archer Rd, Gainesville, FL 32608 | (352) 376-1611 | 4 of 5 stars | Care Compare | Directions |
| HCA Florida Lake City Hospital | Columbia | 340 NW Commerce Dr, Lake City, FL 32055 | (386) 719-9000 | 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. Many critical access hospitals are too small to receive an overall rating.
Map of Medicare-Certified Facilities in and Near Union County
The map shows Lake Butler Hospital along with the nearest larger hospitals in Gainesville and Lake City. Click a marker for the address, phone number and driving directions in Google Maps.
Medicare-Certified Nursing Homes in Union County
CMS lists no Medicare-certified nursing home in Union County. The closest are in Starke in Bradford County and in Lake City, with more in Gainesville, so search Care Compare by ZIP code to compare options. 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.
Nursing home ratings come from the CMS Provider Information dataset released October 2026. Search Care Compare by ZIP code to see the current ratings for nursing homes near you.
Home Health, Hospice and Dialysis in Union County
- Home health: CMS lists no Medicare-certified home health agency with an office in Union County. Agencies based in neighboring counties may serve your home, so search by your ZIP code on Medicare Care Compare. Medicare covers home health care with no coinsurance when you qualify.
- Hospice: CMS lists no hospice agency based in Union County. Agencies based in neighboring counties may 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 no dialysis facility in Union County. Dialysis is a Part B service, so the 20% coinsurance applies, and every Medigap plan helps pay it. Search dialysis facilities on Care Compare by ZIP code to find the nearest centers.
- 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 Union County
These public and nonprofit resources help Union 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 Union County | Public health services, vaccinations and clinic services | 495 E Main St, Lake Butler, FL 32054 (386) 496-3211 union.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 |
Union County Medicare FAQs
How many people in Union County use Original Medicare?
CMS counts 2,555 people with Medicare in Union County as of June 2026. Of them, 1,239 (48.5%) use Original Medicare, the coverage a Medicare Supplement plan works with, and 1,316 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.
Does Medicare cover a transfer from Lake Butler 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.
Should Union 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 Butler, Gainesville, Lake City or anywhere else. There are no provider networks.
Is there a hospital in Union County?
Yes. Lake Butler Hospital is the county’s only hospital, a critical access hospital with an emergency department. It does not have a CMS overall star rating, which is common for small rural hospitals.
Where can I get free Medicare counseling in Union 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: Union 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 Union County. Main Location. 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 Union County
Plan benefits are the same from every carrier, but premiums in Union 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 Union County
Medicare Supplement plans work the same way in every Union 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 Butler
The Union County seat, a small town in North Central Florida. The nearest Medicare-certified hospital on our county map is Lake Butler Hospital in Lake Butler, about 1 mile 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 Union County
I help people with Medicare Supplement plans in every city, town and community in Union County.
- Lake Butler
- Raiford
- Worthington Springs
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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