Paying for assisted living in Florida
Most Florida families pay for assisted living privately at first, usually from a mix of monthly income, retirement savings, the proceeds of selling a home, long-term care insurance, or help from family. Costs vary widely depending on the community, the size of the apartment, and how much day-to-day help a resident needs. You can compare current pricing for communities in your area in the pricing tables below.
There is no single program that pays for everything, so it helps to understand what public benefits can and cannot do before you tour communities.
Does Florida Medicaid (SMMC Long-Term Care) cover assisted living in Florida?
Florida Medicaid can help pay for the care a person receives in an assisted living facility through the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care (SMMC LTC) program, but it never pays for room and board. That means a resident still pays for rent and meals out of pocket, while Medicaid may cover services such as personal care, supervision, and case management.
To qualify, a person generally must:
- Be 65 or older (or 18+ with a disability) and a Florida resident
- Need a nursing-home level of care, confirmed through a screening
- Meet Medicaid's income and asset limits
Eligibility for the care side is determined by the Department of Children and Families, while the Department of Elder Affairs and local Aging and Disability Resource Centers manage screening and a wait list. Because enrollment is capped, there is often a waiting list, so it is wise to apply early.
Does Medicare cover assisted living in Florida?
Medicare does not pay for assisted living room and board or for ongoing custodial (personal) care, which is the heart of what assisted living provides. Medicare may still cover related medical needs a resident has, such as doctor visits, hospital stays, and a short, medically necessary stay in a skilled nursing facility or home health after a qualifying hospitalization.
For free, unbiased help understanding what Medicare does and does not cover, contact Florida's SHINE program (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders), run by the Department of Elder Affairs, at 1-800-963-5337.
