Putnam County
Hospitals & Medicare
A complete guide to every hospital, urgent care center, imaging facility, and skilled nursing home in Putnam County — and exactly how Medicare covers each one in this rural Northeast Florida county.
Rural Medicare Planning Alert: Putnam County has only one hospital. Most complex care requires travel to Jacksonville (55 mi) or Gainesville (45 mi). Make sure your Medicare plan covers regional hospitals in neighboring counties — not just HCA Florida Putnam Hospital. Call William Gray at (386) 871-3858 for a free multi-county coverage check.
William Gray serves Palatka, Crescent City, Interlachen, and all of Putnam County. He helps rural Putnam County seniors find Medicare plans that cover both local and regional hospitals. His service is always free.
Hospitals Serving Putnam County
HCA Florida Putnam Hospital is the only hospital in Putnam County. For complex care, residents use UF Health Shands (Gainesville) or UF Health Jacksonville.
HCA Florida Putnam Hospital
HospitalThe only hospital in Putnam County, serving Palatka and surrounding communities. Accepts Original Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans. For trauma, stroke, and complex care, patients are transferred to Jacksonville or Gainesville.
UF Health Shands — Gainesville
Hospital (Regional)Academic medical center approximately 45 miles west of Palatka. Accepts Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage coverage varies by plan — verify before enrolling.
UF Health Jacksonville
Hospital (Regional)Northeast Florida's Level I Trauma Center, approximately 55 miles northeast of Palatka. Accepts Original Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans.
Emergency & Urgent Care
Putnam County's primary ER is at HCA Florida Putnam Hospital. For life-threatening emergencies, patients are often transferred to regional trauma centers.
Medicare billing note: Emergency room visits billed as outpatient (observation status) fall under Medicare Part B, not Part A — which means different cost-sharing. If you are admitted as an inpatient, Part A applies. Always ask whether you are being admitted as an inpatient or placed under observation status, as this affects your Medicare coverage significantly.
HCA Florida Putnam Hospital ER
Hospital ERThe primary emergency room for Putnam County. Billed under Medicare Part A for inpatient admissions or Part B for outpatient emergency visits.
AdventHealth ER — Palatka Area
Freestanding ERFreestanding ER option serving Putnam County. Billed as hospital outpatient under Medicare Part B — cost-sharing differs from a traditional hospital ER.
Urgent Care & Community Health Centers
Medicare Part B covers urgent care visits. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) offer lower cost-sharing for Medicare beneficiaries.
HCA Florida Putnam Urgent Care
Urgent CareUrgent care affiliated with HCA Florida Putnam Hospital. Medicare Part B covers urgent care visits — typically 20% coinsurance after the Part B deductible.
Putnam Community Medical Center Clinic
Urgent CareCommunity clinic serving Palatka and surrounding Putnam County communities. Medicare Part B covers urgent care visits at participating locations.
Crescent City Family Health Center
Federally Qualified Health CenterFQHC serving rural Putnam County. Medicare covers FQHC visits — cost-sharing is typically lower than standard outpatient visits.
Imaging Centers (MRI & CT)
Basic imaging is available in Palatka. For advanced MRI and PET scans, patients are typically referred to Jacksonville or Gainesville.
HCA Florida Putnam Hospital Imaging
Imaging CenterFull-service imaging at HCA Florida Putnam Hospital. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary imaging — typically 20% coinsurance after the Part B deductible.
Palatka Radiology & Imaging
Imaging CenterIndependent imaging center in Palatka. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary imaging. For MRI and CT, patients may be referred to facilities in Jacksonville or Gainesville.
Skilled Nursing Facilities & Home Health
Medicare Part A covers SNF care after a qualifying 3-day hospital stay. Days 1–20 are fully covered; days 21–100 require a daily copay.
Palatka Nursing & Rehab Center
Skilled Nursing FacilityMedicare Part A covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing care after a qualifying 3-day hospital stay. Days 1–20 are fully covered; days 21–100 require a $209.50/day copay (2026).
Putnam County Health & Rehab
Skilled Nursing FacilitySkilled nursing and rehabilitation facility in Palatka. Accepts Medicare Part A for qualifying skilled nursing stays.
Community Hospice & Palliative Care — Putnam County
HospiceMedicare Part A covers hospice care for beneficiaries with a terminal prognosis of 6 months or less. No deductibles or copays for most hospice services.
Putnam County Home Health Services
Home HealthMedicare Part A and Part B cover home health services when you are homebound and need skilled care. No copay for Medicare-covered home health visits.
Medicare in Putnam County: What You Need to Know
Putnam County's rural healthcare landscape creates unique Medicare planning challenges. Here's what every Putnam County senior needs to understand before choosing a plan.
Putnam County's Healthcare Reality: One Hospital, Rural Challenges
Putnam County — home to Palatka, Crescent City, Interlachen, and Welaka — is one of the most rural counties in Northeast Florida. HCA Florida Putnam Hospital is the only hospital in the county. For trauma, stroke, complex cardiac care, cancer treatment, and most surgical specialties, Putnam County residents must travel to Jacksonville (55 miles northeast) or Gainesville (45 miles west). This geographic reality makes Medicare plan selection more complex — and more consequential — than in urban counties.
Medicare Advantage in Putnam County: Limited Options, Critical Choices
Putnam County has fewer Medicare Advantage plan options than larger Northeast Florida counties. The plans that are available may have narrow networks that don't include the Jacksonville or Gainesville hospitals that Putnam County residents frequently need for specialized care. Before enrolling in any Medicare Advantage plan, verify that it covers HCA Florida Putnam Hospital AND the regional hospitals you would use for complex care. William Gray can check every available plan in Putnam County.
Why Medigap Is Especially Important in Rural Putnam County
For Putnam County seniors, Original Medicare with a Medigap plan offers a significant advantage: unrestricted access to any Medicare-accepting hospital in Florida — including UF Health Shands in Gainesville, UF Health Jacksonville, Mayo Clinic, and Baptist Health in Jacksonville — with no network restrictions, no prior authorization, and no referrals. Given that Putnam County residents routinely need care at hospitals in neighboring counties, Medigap's statewide access is especially valuable. Medigap Plan G covers all Medicare cost-sharing except the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026).
HCA Florida Putnam Hospital and Medicare
HCA Florida Putnam Hospital (formerly Putnam Community Medical Center) is the sole hospital serving Putnam County's approximately 75,000 residents. It accepts Original Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans. However, as a 99-bed community hospital, it has limited specialty services — most complex cases are transferred to larger regional centers. Understanding what HCA Florida Putnam Hospital can and cannot treat is important for Medicare planning in Putnam County.
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in Putnam County
Putnam County has several Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) that serve low-income and rural residents. FQHCs accept Medicare and typically have lower cost-sharing than standard outpatient visits. For Medicare beneficiaries in rural Putnam County who need primary care, FQHCs can be an important resource — especially for those on fixed incomes who want to minimize out-of-pocket costs.
Skilled Nursing Facilities and Medicare Part A in Putnam County
Putnam County has limited skilled nursing facility options. After a qualifying 3-day hospital stay, Medicare Part A covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing care. Days 1–20 are fully covered; days 21–100 require a $209.50/day copay (2026). If local SNF beds are unavailable, you may need to use a facility in St. Johns, Duval, or Alachua County. Medigap Plan G covers the SNF daily copay. Verify your Medicare Advantage plan's SNF coverage and network before you need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the only hospital in Putnam County, FL?
HCA Florida Putnam Hospital (611 Zeagler Dr, Palatka, FL 32177) is the only hospital in Putnam County. It accepts Original Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans. For trauma, stroke, and complex care, patients are transferred to Jacksonville or Gainesville.
What Medicare plan is best for Palatka, FL residents?
Because Palatka and Putnam County residents frequently need care at hospitals in Jacksonville and Gainesville, many local seniors prefer Original Medicare with a Medigap Plan G — it provides unrestricted access to any Medicare-accepting hospital in Florida with no network restrictions. For seniors who primarily use HCA Florida Putnam Hospital and want lower premiums, Medicare Advantage plans may be an option, but verify that your plan covers regional hospitals before enrolling. Call William Gray at (386) 871-3858 for a free comparison.
Does Medicare cover care at UF Health Shands in Gainesville?
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers care at UF Health Shands in Gainesville. Medicare Advantage coverage at UF Health Shands varies by plan — verify your specific plan's network before enrolling. With a Medigap plan, you have unrestricted access to UF Health Shands with no prior authorization required.
Are there urgent care centers in Putnam County that accept Medicare?
Yes — HCA Florida Putnam Hospital has urgent care services in Palatka, and the Crescent City Family Health Center (a Federally Qualified Health Center) serves rural Putnam County. Medicare Part B covers urgent care visits — typically 20% coinsurance after the Part B deductible. FQHCs typically have lower cost-sharing for Medicare beneficiaries.
Does Medicare cover skilled nursing facilities in Putnam County?
Yes — Medicare Part A covers skilled nursing facility care after a qualifying 3-day inpatient hospital stay. Days 1–20 are fully covered; days 21–100 require a $209.50/day copay (2026). Putnam County has limited SNF options, so you may need to use a facility in a neighboring county. Medigap Plan G covers the SNF daily copay.
Why should I use a local Medicare broker in Putnam County?
Putnam County's rural healthcare landscape — one hospital, limited specialists, and frequent need for care in Jacksonville and Gainesville — makes Medicare plan selection more complex than in urban areas. William Gray is an independent Medicare broker who serves Putnam County and all of Northeast Florida. He compares every available plan, verifies hospital and specialist coverage, and helps you avoid costly network surprises. His service is always free — call (386) 871-3858.
Important: We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY: 1-877-486-2048) to get information on all of your options.
Hospital network participation in Medicare Advantage plans changes annually. The information on this page is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute a guarantee of coverage. Always verify your specific plan's network with the insurance carrier before enrolling. William Gray is an independent licensed insurance agent (FL License #W690237) and is not affiliated with, employed by, or endorsed by any hospital or health system referenced on this page. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.
Other NE Florida County Facility Guides
Rural Medicare Planning Requires Local Expertise
William Gray understands Putnam County's unique healthcare landscape. He verifies coverage at HCA Florida Putnam Hospital and every regional hospital you might need — before you enroll. Free of charge.