Florida’s emergency departments see around 8 million visits annually, a number higher than the national average. A major factor is the state’s larger population of uninsured and underinsured residents.

Uninsured patients in Florida are about twice as likely to use the ER for non-emergency issues compared to insured patients. For many, the ER isn’t just a place for urgent crises—it’s the only healthcare access point available.

This means while the average American may only go to the ER once every few years, many Floridians—especially those without coverage—end up there much more often.