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Sarasota Healthcare Access 
   
Locations offering SHCA services:   
    Health Department (Sarasota)
    South County Center (Venice)
    North Port Center
    Child Health Center		 Senior Friendship Centers
(for adults 50 and over)

Program Description:  Sarasota Healthcare Access (SHCA) helps people find affordable medical care.  It assists low-income, Medicaid-eligible or uninsured individuals who have been to the ER with a minor illness or hospitalized. 

Individuals eligible for this program work with a case manager who:

  • Helps them find a medical home for heath care, dental services and medications
  • Makes education and support available for those with ongoing health problems

Eligibility and Costs:  To be eligible for SHCA, individuals must:

  • Be low-income and uninsured
    • Or be Medicaid-eligible
  • Live in Sarasota County

Costs are on a sliding fee scale based on family size and income.  Medical care is provided at the North Port Health Center to all eligible persons regardless of place of residence.

To enroll in SHCA, follow these simple steps:

  • After being discharged from the ER or hospital, ask a hospital case manager to fax a referral using the SHCA Client Referral Form [71KB PDF] .
      OR
    Print and complete the SHCA Client Eligibility Registration Form [40KB PDF]
  • Bring the completed form to a Sarasota County Health Department Eligibility Office nearest you along with:
    • A picture ID
    • proof of address
    • SS#
    • verification of income for the past 4 weeks (see link for eligibility requirements)
  • At the Health Department Eligibility/Clinic Card Office, sign in and wait for an Eligibility Specialist to meet with you.
  • After receiving your Clinic Card, you may make an appointment for medical services
  • Bring your prescribed or over-the-counter medications, plus any new prescriptions, to your appointment

Sarasota Healthcare Access Services:

  • Medical & dental services for adults and children. Physicians are board-certified.
  • Case management - helps patients establish a "medical home"
  • Prescriptions - access to free or low-cost medications (non-narcotic)
  • To learn more, read the SHCA brochure [143KB PDF].

Living Healthy Program

This program is designed for people with chronic diseases and their caregivers. Throughout the six-week course, individuals learn that their health problems do not have to keep them from doing the things they want.