Medicaid for Nursing Homes in Florida (2026)

Yes — Florida Medicaid (Florida SMMC Long-Term Care) covers skilled nursing facility care for eligible residents, including room and board when clinical and financial criteria are met. This differs from assisted living, where housing is typically private pay. Contact Florida ADRC at 1-800-963-5337 for application help.

The typical individual income screening limit for Florida Medicaid long-term care is approximately $2,829/month. Limits are updated annually — confirm with your state Medicaid office before applying.

Countable assets are generally limited to about $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple in Florida. A primary home, one vehicle, and personal belongings are often excluded. Spousal impoverishment rules may allow a community spouse to keep additional assets.

Florida follows the federal 60-month Medicaid look-back period. Asset transfers below fair market value during this window may trigger a penalty period before nursing home Medicaid coverage begins. Consult an elder law attorney before gifting property or restructuring assets.

You must meet three pillars: (1) income at or below ~$2,829/mo, (2) countable assets within limits, and (3) a state-approved level-of-care assessment confirming nursing-facility need. Florida SMMC Long-Term Care requires financial eligibility and a clinical level-of-care determination (typically nursing-facility level).

Gather financial documents: bank statements, property deeds, income verification, and insurance policies. Apply for Florida Medicaid through your county or state human services office (many states offer online applications). Complete a level-of-care assessment — Florida must confirm nursing-facility or waiver-level need. Choose a Medicaid-certified nursing home that accepts Florida SMMC Long-Term Care residents. Call Florida ADRC/Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-963-5337 for free application help.

Florida SMMC Long-Term Care may cover care services in participating assisted living or waiver settings, but room and board is often still private pay. Use our checker above for a preliminary screening — nursing home Medicaid has broader room-and-board coverage.

Florida Medicaid generally does not pay room and board in standard assisted living. The SMMC Long-Term Care program and some HCBS waivers may cover care services for nursing-facility-level eligible residents in participating settings.

Florida nursing home Medicaid uses federal income standards that update annually. Applicants above the limit may qualify through a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust). Use our Florida screener for a preliminary estimate.

Start with a CARES level-of-care screening through Florida's Aging and Disability Resource Center (1-800-963-5337), gather financial documents, and apply via the Florida Department of Children and Families ACCESS portal or with local assistance.