These local and county-based medical assistance programs in Florida generally share the following characteristics:
Designed for residents who do not qualify for Medicaid or lack sufficient health coverage.
Income-based eligibility requirements.
Proof of residency within the specific county is typically required.
Coverage is usually limited to services provided within the county’s public hospital system or contracted network.
Benefits may include primary care, specialty care, hospital services, laboratory services, and certain prescription medications.
Approval periods are time-limited and require periodic renewal.
Programs are administered by the corresponding county hospital district or local governmental entity.
JACKSON HEALTH SYSTEM
Jackson Health System’s Financial Assistance / Jackson Prime program in Miami-Dade County, Florida, is a county-supported healthcare assistance program designed for eligible low-income residents who are uninsured or underinsured and do not qualify for other comparable coverage. Eligibility is generally based on Miami-Dade County residency, household income, and required documentation, and approved participants may receive access to reduced-cost medical and hospital services within the Jackson Health System network. The program is not health insurance and requires compliance with established eligibility guidelines and periodic renewal.
"Application Here"
BROWARD HEALTH
Broward Health’s Financial Assistance Program in Broward County, Florida is a hospital-based assistance program designed to help eligible uninsured (and, in some settings, underinsured) residents reduce the cost of emergency and other medically necessary care provided within the Broward Health system. Eligibility is generally based on household income (Broward Health indicates up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level may qualify) and proof of residency within Broward Health’s service area, and applicants are typically required to first apply for other available coverage options (e.g., Marketplace, Medicaid, Medicare, Florida KidCare) before final determination; the program is not health insurance and requires compliance with documentation and renewal rules.
"Application Here"
PALM BEACH COUNTY
The Health Care District of Palm Beach County Financial Assistance / Sliding Fee program provides reduced-cost care through the District’s community health centers and clinics by using a Sliding Fee Scale (SFS) Discount Program based on household size and income. If a patient qualifies, visit and service fees are adjusted so care is more affordable, and the discount may be available whether the patient has insurance or not, depending on eligibility; services and discounts apply under District guidelines and documentation requirements.
"Application Here"
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (TAMPA)
Hillsborough County Health Care Plan (HCHCP) in Hillsborough County (Tampa), Florida is a county-supported healthcare assistance program for eligible residents with limited income and assets who do not qualify for other coverage (such as Medicaid or Medicare). It provides access to primary and specialty care, outpatient services, and support with prescription medications through program resources and participating providers; eligibility is based on Hillsborough County residency and financial criteria, and enrollment is subject to program rules and periodic renewal.
"Application Here"
PINELLAS COUNTY (CLEARWATER / ST. PETERSBURG)
Pinellas County (Clearwater / St. Petersburg) uses the Pinellas County Health Program (PCHP), a county-supported healthcare assistance program focused on primary care and prevention for eligible low-income, uninsured adult residents. In general, eligibility is based on Pinellas County residency, income requirements, and being ages 18–64 and not eligible for Medicaid/Medicare or similar programs; it is not health insurance and enrollment is completed through an online application/renewal portal.
"Application Here"
LEE COUNTY (FORT MYERS)
WECARE (UNITED WAY) IN LEE COUNTY (FORT MYERS) AND HENDRY COUNTY, FLORIDA is a nonprofit specialty-referral assistance program that connects eligible uninsured residents with pro bono specialty medical services through a network of volunteer physicians and participating healthcare organizations. In general, eligibility requires county residency, no health insurance, and meeting income guidelines (commonly up to 300% of the Federal Poverty Level), and referrals are typically coordinated through a medical provider or participating partner; services are provided subject to program rules and available volunteer capacity, and it is not health insurance.
"Application Here"
POLK COUNTY (LAKELAND / WINTER HAVEN)
Polk County’s Polk HealthCare Plan (serving Lakeland, Winter Haven, and surrounding areas in Polk County, Florida) is a county-supported medical assistance program for uninsured residents who do not qualify for other public coverage. Eligibility is generally based on Polk County residency, household income, and required documentation; approved participants gain access to a range of medically necessary services through Polk HealthCare Plan’s provider network. The program is not health insurance and requires compliance with eligibility criteria and periodic renewal.
"Application Here"
BREVARD COUNTY (MELBOURNE / PALM BAY)
PATH (Primary Access to Health) in Brevard County (Melbourne / Palm Bay), Florida is a county public-health partnership led by the Florida Department of Health in Brevard County that provides primary-care access for eligible uninsured residents. In general, eligibility requires Brevard County residency, household income below 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, and no current coverage through Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, military benefits, or a similar local medical program; it is a safety-net access program (not traditional health insurance) and applicants must meet documentation requirements.
"Application Here"
PASCO COUNTY
(NEW PORT RICHEY / WESLEY CHAPEL) uses Florida’s Health Care Responsibility Act (HCRA) as a state-mandated county assistance mechanism to help cover out-of-county emergency hospital care for qualified indigent Pasco residents when they receive emergency treatment at a participating HCRA hospital outside Pasco County. In Pasco, the hospital submits the HCRA application to Pasco County Human Services on the patient’s behalf, and eligibility is determined based on income/assets and other case-specific criteria; Florida law requires counties to pay for qualifying out-of-county inpatient emergency stays for up to 45 days per year, subject to HCRA rules and limits, and it is not health insurance.
"Application Here"
The Manatee County Health Care Plan
(Bradenton / Manatee County, Florida) is a county program designed to help uninsured residents with limited household income who do not qualify for Medicaid access needed medical care. It is not health insurance; it is a county assistance program that provides access to services under program guidelines and eligibility requirements.
"Application Here"
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
In Sarasota County, offers a Financial Assistance / Community Specialty Clinic safety-net resource for uninsured and underinsured residents. Sarasota Memorial’s Financial Assistance Program helps address the financial needs of patients who lack adequate coverage by evaluating income, assets, and other resources and applying discounts or charity care based on a sliding fee scale; eligibility is determined through an assistance screening process and documentation, and the program is not health insurance.
"Application Here"
PLAN of Collier County
(Naples / Collier County, Florida) is a community safety-net referral network that connects qualified low-income, uninsured adult residents to care through a large group of volunteer physicians, community clinics, hospitals, and affiliated providers. Services may include primary and specialty care, labs, pharmacy support, and care coordination/case management, provided under program rules; eligibility is income-based and generally excludes individuals who have any health insurance or who are eligible for Medicaid/Medicare/VA benefits.
"Application Here"
Additional local, state, or federal assistance programs may also be available depending on the applicant’s circumstances. If you require guidance in identifying other potential options, please do not hesitate to contact our team for assistance in locating the appropriate official resources .
If you would like personalized guidance, our team is available to assist you. You may submit your contact information, and one of our licensed and certified agents will reach out to provide the professional support you deserve.
