Medicaid is a national health insurance program that provides limited coverage for low-income, low-asset Americans of all ages. The federal and state governments jointly fund it, and in Florida, Medicaid and the Agency for Health Care Administration, a branch of the Florida Department of Children and Families, administer it.
To qualify for Medicaid in Florida, single seniors must earn no more than $2,313 a month in income from all sources, including pensions, wages, alimony, rent and investment interest. Seniors applying as a couple can earn no more than $4,626 in monthly income. There are also asset caps of $2,000 per individual and $3,000 per couple.
Medicaid considers all cash, bank account balances, investment real estate, stocks and bonds when calculating assets of an applicant. Excluded assets include household furniture, one vehicle, jewelry, non-revocable burial trusts and a principal residence valued at $585,000 or less.
Florida seniors aged 65 and older who qualify for Medicaid coverage and require care normally offered in a nursing home may be eligible for the Florida Statewide Medicaid Managed Care, Long Term Care Program. This program provides medically necessary services in the community or an assisted living facility in order to delay or prevent placement of the senior in a nursing home.
Services that may be available through the SMMC LTC include:
- Adult companion and attendant care
- Home accessibility adaptation
- Homemaker
- Skilled nursing
- Medication administration and management
- Occupational, physical, respiratory and speech therapy
- Respite care and transportation
For more information about Florida Medicaid and the SMMC LTC program, call the
Agency for Health Care Administration at (877) 711-3662 or contact the Florida Elder Helpline at (800) 963-5337.