Direct answer: No. LRH says it is part of LRH Medical Center, is not an urgent care center, and bills services at hospital emergency department rates.
Short answer: it's a hospital ER, billed like one
No. LRH says it is part of LRH Medical Center, is not an urgent care center, and bills services at hospital emergency department rates.
LRH's page: "This emergency department is part of Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center. This is not an urgent care center. Its services and care are billed at hospital emergency department rates."
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.
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.
What the S. Florida Ave ER is
LRH Freestanding Emergency Department, 6150 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland 33813 (corner of 540A and S. Florida Ave.), open 24/7.
LRH's first freestanding ED opened in March 2025 at 6150 S. Florida Ave., off CR 540A.
What "billed at hospital ER rates" means for your plan
LRH bills this site at hospital ED rates, so your plan's ER copay, deductible, and coinsurance apply, not urgent care cost-sharing. Check your EOB and ask for an itemized bill.
Whether you're an inpatient or an outpatient (for example, under observation) affects what you pay under Medicare.
If you're admitted: transport to LRH Medical Center
LRH says patients who need admission are transported to LRH Medical Center without charging the patient for that transfer.
Patients who need to be admitted are transported to LRH Medical Center without charging the patient for that transfer (LRH release, Mar. 31, 2026, describing its freestanding EDs).
ER or urgent care? Know your options before you need them
For non-emergencies, LRH runs urgent care sites (863.284.6800). For emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
LRH urgent care sites: Highland City, Kathleen, Lake Gibson, Lake Miriam, Lake Wales, Pablo Campus; urgent care line 863.284.6800.
Care for adults and children; CT, X-ray, ultrasound, and on-site lab.
Medicare in Florida: ER visits
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's coming: two more LRH freestanding ERs
LRH plans two more freestanding EDs: US 17 & CR 540 (Winter Haven area) in mid-2027 and US 98 N at Marcum Rd in early 2028.
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.
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.
What to verify before you enroll
- Search Lakeland Regional Health Freestanding Emergency Department (540A & S. Florida Ave) 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
Additional verified details
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.
Related coverage questions
- what an ER visit costs in Lakeland
- deductible vs. out-of-pocket maximum
- how to negotiate hospital bills
- what to do if your plan denies a claim
Common questions
Is the Lakeland Regional ER on South Florida Avenue an urgent care center?
No. Lakeland Regional Health says the emergency department at 6150 S. Florida Ave. is part of Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, is not an urgent care center, and bills its services at hospital emergency department rates.
Why does a visit to the LRH freestanding ER cost more than urgent care?
Because it is billed at hospital emergency department rates, your plan applies its emergency room cost-sharing, such as the ER copay, deductible, and coinsurance, rather than urgent care cost-sharing. Your plan's documents list those amounts.
What happens if I need to be admitted from the freestanding ER?
Lakeland Regional Health says patients from its freestanding emergency departments who need to be admitted are transported to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center without charging the patient for that transfer.
How does Medicare cover a visit to the LRH freestanding ER?
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.