Medicaid is a nationwide health coverage program that provides low-income, low-asset children, adults and seniors with a range of preventative health services such as screening for chronic diseases. Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that most states opt to administer through a branch of the state government, although some states contract out Medicaid administration to a private insurance company.
The services provided through Medicaid vary from state to state, and some states offer extended coverage that includes funding for assisted living.
Florida residents age 65 and older may qualify for Medicaid if both their income and assets fall within the maximum limits of the Medicaid program. Single applicants can earn no more than $2,313 per month, and their total countable assets must not exceed $2,000 in value, while married couples applying for Medicaid together cannot have a monthly income greater than $4,626 and own countable assets valued at more than $3,000.
Seniors who meet the income and asset qualifications for Medicaid in Florida are eligible for enrollment in the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program administered by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.
The Long-Term Care Managed Care Program provides seniors with access to a wide range of long-term care services including assisted living facility services.
For more information about Medicaid in Florida, contact the Department of Elder Affairs at (850) 414-2000.
To apply to the SMMC program, contact Elder Options in Gainesville at (800) 963-5337.