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UF Health University of Florida
GatorCare University of Florida & UF Health
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Seeking Care in Central Florida

For GatorCare Members

Your Guide to Care

When searching for care, GatorCare members in Central Florida have multiple resources available to them. This includes primary care providers, urgent care facilities, and emergency rooms. See below to learn more about your options and facilities available to you.

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First Point of Contact

Primary Care Provider

A primary care provider (PCP) is a physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner who is the first contact for your health concerns and/or conditions. Establishing a relationship with a PCP now will help you to save time and money when you need routine or non-emergent care in the future. If you do not have a designated PCP, the information below can help you to find one closest to your home or workplace.

Additional Resources

Choosing a Primary Care Provider

When it comes to choosing a primary care provider, the amount of options can be overwhelming. Use the link below to begin narrowing down your choices.

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For more providers and tier information, please visit the Network Directory.

Second Point of Contact

Urgent Care Centers

If your PCP, or a physician within the same clinic, is unable to treat you promptly, an urgent care center is your next point of contact. These facilities are a form of walk-in clinic with a focus on providing immediate care; especially when you have a medical problem that is not life-threatening or does not risk disability. Urgent care centers can treat all kinds of conditions, including:

  • Common illnesses such as cold and flu symptoms, cough, sore throats, fevers, allergies, migraines, rashes, and ear, eye, sinus, and urinary tract infections
  • Minor injuries such as back pain, minor cuts and burns, minor broken bones, minor eye injuries, sprains, and strains

Urgent care centers are located independently of emergency departments and can be visited without the designation of a primary care provider. To find a facility close to you, please see the information below:

Emergency Rooms

Emergency rooms (ERs) treat emergency-level needs, such as life-threatening or critical health conditions, on a 24-hour basis. If your medical problem is life-threatening, call 911 immediately. A visit to the ER without an actual emergency can be costly and time-consuming, and detract medical care from individuals who truly need immediate care.

Additional Resources

Know Before You Go: Urgent Care vs. Emergency Room

Prior to seeking care, it is valuable to understand the difference between an urgent care center and an emergency room. Click on the graphic below to learn which facility would be appropriate for your future needs.

Additional Care Options

For additional resources concerning medical care, please see the information below:

Additional Resources

Where to Seek Care When Traveling

When planning a trip out of state or out of the country, don’t forget to plan for your care too. Learn how to use your healthcare benefits when traveling with the link below.

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