Healthcare in Central Florida: Hospitals, Doctors, and Insurance

What Is the Healthcare Landscape in Central Florida?

Central Florida has a robust and growing healthcare system. The region is home to two major hospital systems (Orlando Health and AdventHealth), a growing medical city anchored by the University of Central Florida's College of Medicine and major research hospitals, and a wide network of urgent care centers and specialty clinics.

Lake Nona's Medical City has transformed the region into a hub for medical research and specialized care. New residents coming from larger metropolitan areas generally find that Central Florida offers good access to healthcare, with a few caveats around wait times for specialists and insurance network considerations.

Major Hospital Systems

Orlando Health is a private, not-for-profit healthcare system with more than 35 hospitals and emergency rooms across Central Florida. The flagship hospital, Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC), is located in downtown Orlando and is one of the largest acute care facilities in the region. ORMC is a Level I trauma center, meaning it provides the highest level of surgical care for traumatic injuries. Orlando Health also operates specialty hospitals for children (Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children), women (Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies), cancer (UF Health Cancer Center and Orlando Health Cancer Institute), and heart and vascular care.

Other Orlando Health campuses include Dr. P. Phillips Hospital (southwest Orlando), South Seminole Hospital (Longwood), Horizon West Hospital, St. Cloud Hospital, and several freestanding emergency rooms throughout the region.

AdventHealth (formerly Florida Hospital) is a large faith-based, not-for-profit health system with 23 hospitals in the Central Florida area. The flagship is AdventHealth Orlando, located just north of downtown Orlando. It is one of the largest hospitals in Florida with more than 1,300 beds. AdventHealth Orlando is a Level II trauma center and a comprehensive stroke center. The system also operates AdventHealth for Children, AdventHealth for Women, and multiple other campuses including Altamonte Springs, Kissimmee, Winter Park, East Orlando, Celebration, Lake Wales, and others.

AdventHealth has a strong reputation for cardiac care, orthopedics, neurosciences, and cancer treatment. Their network of hospitals and outpatient facilities covers the five-county area well.

HCA Florida Healthcare (formerly HCA) operates multiple hospitals in Central Florida, including HCA Florida Osceola Hospital (Kissimmee), HCA Florida Lake Monroe Hospital (Sanford), and several others. HCA facilities are generally well-regarded for emergency care and surgical services.

VA Medical Center The Orlando VA Medical Center is located in Lake Nona as part of the Medical City campus. It serves eligible veterans with comprehensive primary, specialty, and mental health care. The facility is modern and well-regarded.

Lake Nona Medical City: A Hub for Medical Innovation

Lake Nona's Medical City is a 650-acre life sciences and healthcare cluster located in southeast Orlando. It is home to several major institutions:

• University of Central Florida College of Medicine trains the next generation of physicians and researchers.
• Nemours Children's Hospital is one of the leading pediatric hospitals in the region, offering specialized pediatric care across more than 30 subspecialties.
• VA Medical Center serves Central Florida's veteran population with modern facilities and advanced care.
• AdventHealth's Lake Nona campus provides emergency care and inpatient services.
• UCF Lake Nona Hospital is a joint venture between UCF and HCA Florida Healthcare, providing acute care and teaching hospital services.

The Medical City cluster means Lake Nona residents have some of the best access to cutting-edge medical care in the region.

Specialty and Urgent Care Options

In addition to the major hospital systems, Central Florida has a strong network of urgent care centers, walk-in clinics, and specialty practices.

Urgent care. Facilities such as MD Now, AdventHealth Centra Care, and Orlando Health Express Care operate dozens of locations across the region. Urgent care centers are ideal for non-emergency conditions such as minor injuries, cold and flu symptoms, infections, and routine lab work. Most are open 7 days a week and accept walk-ins. A typical urgent care visit costs $100 to $200 without insurance.

Specialty care. Central Florida has specialists in every major field, including cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, neurology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, and rheumatology. As in many growing metropolitan areas, wait times for new patient appointments with specialists can range from a few days to several weeks, depending on the specialty and demand. The Lake Nona Medical City has attracted a concentration of specialists that helps reduce wait times for certain services.

Telehealth. Both Orlando Health and AdventHealth offer robust telehealth services, allowing you to consult with primary care and some specialty providers virtually. Telehealth is a practical option for follow-up appointments and minor concerns.

How to Find a Doctor in Central Florida

Finding a doctor in a new city can feel overwhelming. Here is a practical process for new residents:

1. Check your insurance network first. If you have health insurance through an employer, the Marketplace, or Medicare/Medicaid, start by looking up which providers are in-network. Both Orlando Health and AdventHealth have large networks, but it is important to confirm that your specific plan includes the doctors and hospitals you prefer.
2. Use the health system's physician finder. Orlando Health (orlandohealth.com/find-a-doctor) and AdventHealth (adventhealth.com/find-a-doctor) both have searchable directories that let you filter by specialty, location, insurance accepted, and patient ratings.
3. Ask for recommendations. Your real estate agent, coworkers, and neighbors can be good sources of recommendations. Local Facebook groups and neighborhood forums are also used by many new residents to find doctors.
4. Consider direct primary care. Some practices in Central Florida operate on a direct primary care (DPC) model, where you pay a monthly membership fee (typically $50 to $150 per month) for unlimited primary care access. This can be a good option if you do not have insurance or have a high-deductible plan.
5. Schedule an introductory visit. Once you identify a potential primary care doctor, schedule a new patient appointment. This is a good opportunity to discuss your health history, get established with the practice, and make sure it is a good fit.

Health Insurance Options for New Residents

Health insurance in Florida works through several channels:

Employer-sponsored insurance. If you are moving to Orlando for a job, your employer will likely offer health insurance. Major employers in Central Florida (health systems, Walt Disney World, Universal, Lockheed Martin, and others) provide comprehensive coverage. Check with your HR department to understand coverage start dates, network options, and costs.

Health Insurance Marketplace (ACA). If you are self-employed, work for a small business that does not offer insurance, or are between jobs, you can purchase insurance through the federal Marketplace at healthcare.gov. Open enrollment typically runs from November 1 to January 15 each year. If you experience a qualifying life event (moving to a new state qualifies), you can enroll in a special enrollment period. Florida uses the federal Marketplace, and plans from major carriers including Florida Blue, Ambetter, and Oscar are available. Monthly premiums for a 40-year-old individual in 2026 range from approximately $400 to $700 for a mid-level Silver plan, depending on income and subsidies.

Medicare. If you are 65 or older or have certain disabilities, Medicare is available. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) is administered by the federal government, while Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) and prescription drug plans (Part D) are offered by private insurers. Florida has a large Medicare population, and many providers accept Medicare assignment. Medicare Advantage plans from Florida Blue, Humana, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare are widely available in Central Florida.

Medicaid. Florida expanded Medicaid under the ACA to cover adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level. You can apply through the Florida Department of Children and Families (myflfamilies.com) or the federal Marketplace.

Short-term health insurance. Short-term plans are available in Florida but are not required to cover pre-existing conditions, essential health benefits, or the ACA's consumer protections. They are a temporary bridge but not a replacement for comprehensive coverage.

Average Healthcare Costs in Central Florida

Healthcare costs in Central Florida are generally in line with or slightly below national averages. Here are some typical costs for reference:

• Primary care office visit (insured, copay): $20 to $50
• Primary care office visit (self-pay): $100 to $200
• Specialist office visit (insured, copay): $40 to $80
• Specialist office visit (self-pay): $150 to $350
• Urgent care visit (self-pay): $100 to $200
• Emergency room visit (self-pay): $500 to $3,000+ depending on services
• Monthly health insurance premium (individual, Silver plan, age 40): $400 to $700
• Monthly health insurance premium (family, Silver plan): $1,200 to $2,000+

These are estimates. Actual costs vary based on your insurance plan, deductible, coinsurance, and provider network. Always verify costs with your provider and insurance company before receiving non-emergency care.

Frequently Asked Questions About Healthcare in Central Florida

Which hospital system is better: Orlando Health or AdventHealth?

Both are well-regarded and operate high-quality facilities. Orlando Health is a Level I trauma center (higher acuity for trauma cases) and operates Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, one of the region's leading pediatric hospitals. AdventHealth has a larger network of hospitals across the region and is known for cardiac care. The best choice depends on your specific healthcare needs, insurance network, and proximity to your home.

How do I find a doctor who speaks Spanish?

Central Florida has a significant Spanish-speaking population, and many healthcare providers offer bilingual staff and Spanish-speaking providers. Both Orlando Health and AdventHealth allow you to filter by language when searching for a doctor. Tyler Gibson, the author of this guide, also speaks Spanish and can help connect Spanish-speaking relocators with resources.

Is there good pediatric care in Orlando?

Yes. Orlando is home to Nemours Children's Hospital (Lake Nona Medical City) and Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children (downtown Orlando), both of which provide comprehensive pediatric care across all specialties. AdventHealth for Children is also a strong option.

Do I need to change doctors when I move to Florida?

Unless you are moving within the same insurance network and your current doctor has a practice location in Central Florida, you will likely need to find a new primary care doctor. Some large insurance networks like Florida Blue may have participating providers in multiple states, but it is not common for an individual doctor to practice in both locations.

Can I get health insurance immediately when I move to Florida?

Yes. Moving to a new state qualifies as a special enrollment period on the Health Insurance Marketplace. You have 60 days before and 60 days after your move to enroll in a plan. Employer-sponsored insurance typically starts on your hire date or the first of the month after hire.

What is Medical City in Lake Nona?

Lake Nona Medical City is a 650-acre healthcare and life sciences cluster in southeast Orlando. It includes the UCF College of Medicine, Nemours Children's Hospital, the Orlando VA Medical Center, and several research institutes and specialty hospitals. It is one of the fastest-growing medical research and treatment hubs in the United States.