Older Florida residents who meet specific income and asset requirements can receive medical care assistance through SSI-related Medicaid. Singles must bring in no more than $891 monthly, while married couples with both spouses applying must make no more than $1,208 a month.
Residents who qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) automatically qualify for Medicaid services and should work directly with the Social Security Administration to obtain benefits. Other eligible individuals should visit ACCESS Florida or call 866-762-2237 to obtain further information or apply.
Qualified seniors who enroll in the statewide Managed Medical Assistance (MMA) program receive access to comprehensive services, including primary care, hospital stays, nursing homes, home health care, prescription drugs, adult day health care and skilled nursing, depending on need.
For Florida seniors who require long-term care, the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program (SMMC LTC) provides Medicaid-eligible individuals with community services, in-home programs and placement in assisted living. Case managers assess a participant’s care requirements and develop a plan to ensure care in the least restrictive environment possible. Plan benefits may include assisted living, adult foster care and home-delivered meals.
To qualify for SMMC LTC services, applicants must be 65 or older (applicants under 64 must be designated as disabled), be legal Florida residents, meet general Medicaid eligibility requirements and need a nursing-facility level of care. An applicant’s income and assets must not exceed $2,313 per month combined, while couples applying jointly cannot exceed $4,626.
Interested seniors can call the Elder Helpline at 800-262-2243 to request a screening for home- and community-based services. During screening interviews, primary caregivers will be asked to provide basic information, including the applicant’s income and a description of care needs.