Direct answer: No. HCA Florida describes it as a freestanding emergency department and an extension of HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital's emergency services. Emergency visits usually carry your plan's ER cost-sharing, which is often higher than urgent care, so check your plan and ask the facility how the visit will be billed.
Short answer: HCA Florida Auburndale Emergency is an emergency department
If you have employer or Marketplace coverage, the federal No Surprises Act generally limits what you pay for emergency services to your network cost-sharing, even at an out-of-network facility. Follow-up care and planned visits depend on your plan's network.
HCA Florida Auburndale Emergency, 2885 Havendale Blvd NW, Winter Haven; an extension of HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital's emergency services.
HCA Florida announced the opening of HCA Florida Auburndale Emergency on Jan. 27, 2026, serving Winter Haven and greater Polk County.
Freestanding ER vs. urgent care: why the bill can differ
Ask for a good faith estimate when you can; for emergency care, ask for an itemized bill afterward and ask about financial assistance. CMS's medical-bill help line is 1-800-985-3059.
The No Surprises Act (in effect January 1, 2022) protects people with employer, Marketplace, or other individual coverage from surprise out-of-network bills for emergency care, including at independent freestanding emergency departments; you can't be charged more than network cost-sharing for emergency services.
If you don't have or use insurance, providers usually must give a good faith estimate when you schedule at least 3 business days ahead or ask; you may be able to dispute a bill that is at least $400 over the estimate. CMS help line: 1-800-985-3059.
For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. After you are stabilized, follow-up and planned care can follow different plan rules than the emergency visit.
If you do not have or do not use insurance, federal rules generally require a good faith estimate when you schedule at least three business days ahead or ask. You may be able to dispute a bill that is at least $400 over the estimate. CMS help line: 1-800-985-3059.
Surprise-bill protections for emergency care
Medicare Part B usually covers emergency department services. You pay a copayment per visit and per hospital service, plus 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for doctor services after the Part B deductible. If admitted to the same hospital for a related condition within 3 days, the ED copayments don't apply. Ask the hospital whether a visit to this freestanding department counts as the same hospital for this rule.
If you're admitted: transfers
Medicare in Florida: ER visits
Whether you're an inpatient or an outpatient (for example, under observation) affects what you pay under Medicare.
Medicare Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7 (plan must get the request by December 7). The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs January 1 to March 31 for people already in a Medicare Advantage plan.
For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. After you are stabilized, follow-up and planned care can follow different plan rules than the emergency visit.
If you do not have or do not use insurance, federal rules generally require a good faith estimate when you schedule at least three business days ahead or ask. You may be able to dispute a bill that is at least $400 over the estimate. CMS help line: 1-800-985-3059.
Medicare marketing on this site is for Florida residents. Confirm hospital, doctor, and pharmacy participation with the plan and the office. Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage follow different network rules.
What to verify before you enroll
- Search HCA Florida Auburndale Emergency and each doctor by name and location in the plan directory
- Confirm the exact plan ID and year with the billing office
- Check prescriptions and pharmacy separately from the facility listing
- Read urgent-care versus emergency-room cost sharing in the Summary of Benefits
Related coverage questions
- what an ER visit costs in Lakeland
- deductible vs. out-of-pocket maximum
- how to keep your doctor when you change plans
- HMO vs EPO vs PPO
Common questions
Is HCA Florida Auburndale Emergency an urgent care center?
No. HCA Florida describes it as a freestanding emergency department and an extension of HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital's emergency services. Emergency visits usually carry your plan's ER cost-sharing, which is often higher than urgent care, so check your plan and ask the facility how the visit will be billed.
What if HCA Florida Auburndale Emergency is out of my plan's network in an emergency?
If you have employer or Marketplace coverage, the federal No Surprises Act generally limits what you pay for emergency services to your in-network cost-sharing, even at an out-of-network facility. Follow-up care and planned visits depend on your plan's network.
Where will I go if I need to be admitted from HCA Florida Auburndale Emergency?
HCA Florida says the ER is an extension of HCA Florida Poinciana Hospital's emergency services; Poinciana Hospital is in Osceola County. Ask where you would be admitted and check that hospital in your plan's directory.
How does Medicare cover a freestanding ER visit?
Medicare Part B usually covers emergency department services. You pay a copayment for the visit and for each hospital service, plus 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for doctor services after the Part B deductible. Medicare Advantage plans set their own ER copays.
What to do next
David Huff, a licensed Florida health agent, can review Polk County doctors, facilities, and prescriptions against a specific Marketplace or Florida Medicare plan ID. He does not decide facility billing. Signing up for Medicare Part A and Part B is done through Social Security, and a plan review is not an enrollment. Call (863) 640-3102 or use Get Help.
Want a second set of eyes before you pick a plan?
Send your ZIP, the doctors and facilities you use, and your prescriptions. Please don't send Social Security or Medicare numbers or medical records. A review is not enrollment.
Start a provider check Request a plan review Call (863) 640-3102Not affiliated with HealthCare.gov or the U.S. government.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 9 organizations which offer 102 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
Sources
This page is educational. It does not say whether a facility or doctor participates with a specific plan. Confirm the plan directory and the billing office before you enroll or switch.
Lakeland Health Insurance is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 9 organizations which offer 102 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
Company inventory note: The counts above reflect the plans available for the 2027 plan year in the Lakeland/Polk County service area as of September 30, 2026. They are not CMS counts or statewide Florida totals. Counts and available products vary by ZIP code, service area, plan year, and current company authorization. Confirm the ZIP code and current approved platform inventory before relying on these figures. Plan availability, benefits, networks, formularies, pharmacies, and costs are subject to the applicable plan documents and service area.