Assisted Living in Florida

Single Applicant

$11,964

$5,000

Two-Person Household
(Only One Person Applying)

$16,116

$6,000

Two-Person Household
(Both People Applying)

$16,116

$6,000

Ombudsman Program 

(866) 490-1901 

The Agency for Health Care Administration operates the Ombudsman Program, which serves as an impartial third party regarding denied Medicaid claims for prescription drug coverage. Individuals can contact the ombudsman if Medicaid refuses to cover necessary medications. 

Medicaid Fair Hearings 

(877) 254-1055 

If an individual is denied Medicaid coverage for an eligible service or if they were receiving a service and Medicaid stopped or limited its coverage and they completed the plan’s appeal process, they can ask for Fair Hearing. Through this process, individuals can dispute a decision that wasn’t made in their favor. 

Statewide Medicaid Managed Care 

(877) 711-3662 

Statewide Medicaid Managed Care has a free helpline staffed with live agents who help callers enroll in Medicaid and understand their benefits. The helpline is staffed Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Aid and Attendance

Learn more and apply online at va.gov.

Veterans who receive a VA pension may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit, a monthly cash allowance that veterans receive in addition to their standard pension amount. The benefit is intended for veterans in need of long-term care services and may be used towards paying for Assisted Living.

Reverse Mortgages

Learn more about your options and how to apply at ftc.gov

If you own a home, you may be able to use a reverse mortgage to help pay for Assisted Living. Reverse mortgages are loans that you can take out against the value of your home, essentially converting some of the home's equity into cash. Reverse mortgage loans do need to be repaid with interest, typically within 12 months of receiving the loan.

Long-Term Care (LTC) Insurance

Learn more about Long-Term Care Insurance and how to apply for a policy at acl.gov.

Seniors who already have long-term care insurance may be able to use it to pay for Assisted Living. Most policies cover at least a portion of the cost, but it depends on the specific policy terms. Note that older adults who are already in need of Assisted Living will not typically be eligible to sign up for a LTC insurance policy.

Aging and Disability Resource Centers 

(800) 963-5337 

There are 11 Aging and Disability Resource Centers throughout Florida, promoting access to long-term care resources for those aged 60 and over. Through the ADRC, seniors obtain information on state and federal benefits that may help them cover assisted living services, along with local programs and services such as transportation, congregate meals and durable medical equipment loans.

Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs 

(844) 693-5838 

The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs provides advocacy, referrals and direct services to older veterans in the state. It helps veterans access state benefits such as health care, free claims assistance and burial benefits, and it can help with filing applications for Aid and Attendance and veterans’ and survivors’ pensions. It also screens for eligibility for one of the state’s six veterans' homes. 

Florida SHINE 

(800) 963-5337 

Florida SHINE helps older adults make informed decisions regarding their Medicare coverage. It’s staffed with trained counselors who aren’t affiliated with an insurance company and aren’t licensed to sell policies but can help seniors understand the Medicare benefits and compare Medicare Advantage plans, which may help them pay for assisted living. SHINE counselors can also advise individuals on how to protect themselves from Medicare fraud or address issues such as billing errors and denied health insurance claims. 

Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program 

(888) 831-0404 

The Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program advocates for assisted living residents in Florida. It has trained volunteers who help improve the quality of life for those in long-term care by working with residents and family members to resolve problems and empowering residents to know their rights. Volunteers also visit facilities to ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines.

Florida Elder Law 

(888) 895-7873 

Florida Elder Law is an online resource with comprehensive, up-to-date legal information relevant to older adults. Through this resource, seniors can find out if they’re eligible for Medicare Savings Programs and public benefits such as Supplemental Security Income, Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicaid, which can help them cover assisted living expenses. It also has current information on long-term care visitation rights. 

Social Security Offices 

(800) 772-1213 

Florida is home to numerous Social Security Field Offices. At these locations, seniors can obtain Medicare and Social Security cards and apply for public benefits such as Social Security Disability Insurance, Supplemental Security Income and Medicare. The office also screens for Medicaid eligibility for SSI recipients.

Florida Association of Senior Centers 

(850) 891-4008 

The Florida Association of Senior Centers helps older adults connect with community services that can help them maintain their health and independence. It promotes high-quality programming in senior centers, most of which serve as an entry point for accessing community-based services such as options counseling, Medicare assistance and durable medical equipment loans. The association’s website maintains an up-to-date database of assisted living facilities throughout the state.

Can I visit my relative in person if he/she wants emotional support from me?

Yes (Conditions Apply)

Can I visit my relative in person for end-of-life compassion care?

Yes

Will my loved one be required to self-quarantine after I visit him or her?

No

Do I need to wear PPE and/or a cloth mask if I do visit my relative in person?

Yes

Are Hairdressers and other non-medical contractors still allowed in senior living facilities?

Yes

Does the state recommend or require that senior living facilities assist families with setting up virtual visit alternatives?

Yes

Are visitors being screened for elevated temperatures?

Yes

Are visitors being asked questions about health, travel, and potential virus contact?

Yes

Are residents allowed to leave the facility for non-medical reasons?

Yes

Are residents of senior living facilities who leave and return required to self-quarantine?

No (Conditions Apply)

Are senior living facilities required to cancel all group outings?

No

Are residents still eating together in the dining hall?

Yes

Are facilities still allowed to host group activities within the community?

Yes

Are staff members and contractors being screened for elevated temperatures?

Yes

Are staff members and contractors being tested for Coronavirus?

Yes

Are staff members and contractors being asked questions about health, travel, and potential virus contact?

Yes

Are staff members required to regularly screen residents for coronavirus symptoms?

Yes

Are residents relied on to screen themselves and self-report potential coronavirus symptoms?

No

Are staff members required to take residents’ temperatures?

Yes

Are residents being tested for coronavirus?

Yes

Assisted Living Service Plan Requirements

Before admitting a new resident, assisted living facilities are required to arrange for a comprehensive medical examination that outlines the resident’s health status, care needs and dietary requirements. This evaluation should take place within 60 days before admission or 30 days after. Based on this evaluation, it develops a written service plan that addresses the individual’s needs and preferences. Residents, as well as their representative, guardian or attorney, should be allowed to participate in developing the plan.

Staff Training Requirements 

Administrators must complete 26 hours of initial training plus a competency test within 90 days of employment, plus 12 hours of continuing education every two years. Within 30 days of employment, unlicensed direct care staff must complete at least an hour of in-service training in infection control and three hours of training in topics related to residents’ needs and behaviors.

Assisted Living Facility Requirements 

Assisted living facilities licensed prior to October 1999 may have up to four residents in a room, and they must have one toilet and one sink per six residents and one bath or shower per eight residents. Those licensed after that date may have only two residents per room, and no more than four residents must share a bathroom. Facilities that serve residents receiving Medicaid assistive care services aren’t required to have apartment-style rooms, but those with residents in the Long-Term Care Managed Program must have private rooms and apartments for residents. 

Staffing Requirements 

Assisted living facilities must have an administrator responsible for monitoring day-to-day activities and a direct care staff that provides personal care services. There must be at least one staff member on-site at all times who’s certified in first aid and CPR. The state requires facilities to have minimum weekly staff hours, averaging about one full-time employee per 20 residents. Facilities must have enough staff members at all times to care for residents’ scheduled and unscheduled needs, even if that exceeds minimum requirements. 

Assisted Living Scope of Care 

Assisted living facilities provide housing, meals and one or more personal care services. They may hire or contract with licensed health care providers to perform nursing tasks, including medication administration and medical monitoring. 

Background Checks for Assisted Living 

Assisted living facilities require level 2 background screening for prospective employees. An individual is ineligible for hire or continued employment if convicted of an intentional or negligent act that jeopardized the health or safety of a resident, theft from a resident or behaving in a way that could cause the facility to lose its licensing.

Assisted Living Medicaid Policy 

Florida’s Medicaid managed care program covers assisted living services under its Assistive Care Services provision as well as its Long-Term Care Managed Care Program. To accept payment from Medicaid, assisted living facilities must be licensed. 

Requirements for Reporting Abuse 

Per state law, assisted living facility staff are mandated reporters and are required to report observed or suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation. Reports are to be made immediately to the central abuse hotline at (800) 962-2873 or online through the Florida Department of Children and Families.

Assisted Living Admission Requirements 

The assisted living facility’s owner or administrator is responsible for determining whether an individual is eligible for admission. Prospective residents must need help with some activities of daily living, and they should be able to participate in social and recreational activities. Facilities are permitted to admit residents who use assistive devices or require skilled nursing services, as long as the facility can provide that care directly or through a third party.

Medication Management Regulations 

Unlicensed staff in assisted living facilities can help residents with self-administered medication. This includes bringing premeasured medication to the resident, informing the resident of the medication and dosage, confirming that the medication is intended for the resident, placing the medication in the individual’s hand, applying topical medications, returning medication containers to storage and recording when a resident took their medication. Only licensed health care workers can administer medication.