Medicaid provides low-income seniors with essential medical care services, including emergency, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, a primary physician and long-term care, using funds provided by the state and federal government.
To ensure Medicaid coverage is offered to all people who would otherwise be left without any health care, Florida has income and asset limits for those seeking Medicaid enrollment. Seniors who already receive Supplemental Security Income are automatically enrolled in Medicaid, and they only need to complete further screening if requesting Medicaid-funded long-term care services.
Florida’s Medicaid income limit for seniors 65 and older is 300% of the federal SSI benefit rate or $2,313 a month for singles and $4,626 for couples.
Note: These amounts are subject to change annually, and income from all sources, including alimony, pensions, wages and investments, are counted.
As an income cap state, Florida seniors with income that exceeds Medicaid limits don’t have the option to spend-down excess income in order to reach Medicaid eligibility levels. Seniors can establish a Qualified Income Trust, also called a Miller Trust, to become eligible for Medicaid by placing excess income into a trust which names the State as the beneficiary.
Seniors must also meet asset limits, currently set at $2,000 for an individual and $3,000 for a couple applying together. Some assets are considered exempt, including one vehicle, household furnishings, clothing and a home, valued at $585,000 or less, in which the applicant lives.
Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program
Florida offers a Medicaid waiver for seniors who meet the criteria for nursing home placement but prefer to reside in an assisted living facility.
The Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program provides medically necessary services to seniors in order for them to live safely in an assisted living community.
To qualify for the SMMC LTC, seniors must complete an assessment through the Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services program, which screens all Medicaid enrollees seeking long-term care. A designated CARES physician or registered nurse reviews each assessment and if appropriate refers the senior to the SMMC LTC program.
If accepted, seniors may be eligible to receive some or all of the following Medicaid-funded services:
- Adult day health care
- Attendant or personal care
- Home delivered meals
- Help with laundry and housework
- Medical supplies and durable medical equipment
- A personal emergency response system
- Assistance with transportation to medical appointments
- Intermittent and skilled nursing
- Medication administration
- Rehabilitative therapy, such as speech, physical and occupational therapy
To learn more about Florida Medicaid, the SMMC LTC and the CARES program, contact the
Broward County Elder Helpline at (954) 745-9779.