Navigating the Medicaid system can feel overwhelming. Whether you are applying for yourself or helping a senior in Florida, the financial requirements and forms can be confusing. In this guide, Senior Planning, a leading Medicaid application company, will walk you through Florida Medicaid long-term care eligibility requirements, focusing on who qualifies for Medicaid in Florida, available programs, income and asset limits, and how to get started.
Florida Medicaid offers several programs catering to seniors who require long-term care. Medicaid in Florida is a health insurance program, sometimes referred to as the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) program. This service includes the Long-term Care (LTC) program and the Managed Medical Assistance (MMA) program, which is managed by Medicaid’s care program and administered by the state.
The available Medicaid programs for long-term care in Florida include:
Institutional/Nursing Home Medicaid: This Medicaid plan is an entitlement, allowing anyone within Florida Medicaid long-term care eligibility to receive assistance, including nursing home care.
Medicaid Waiver/Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS): This Medicaid plan is not an entitlement, so a limited number of people can receive these services, and there may be a waitlist. However, it does cover long-term care benefits at home, in adult foster care homes, and in assisted living situations through a managed care system.
Regular Medicaid/Medicaid for Aged and Disabled (MEDS-AD): This Medicaid plan is an entitlement that provides Medicaid for the elderly in Florida with limited long-term care services, including personal care assistance or adult day care.
Who Qualifies for Medicaid in Florida?
The requirements for Medicaid eligibility for seniors in Florida to receive Medicaid long-term care include being 65 years old or older, a U.S. citizen, a resident of Florida, and meeting the income and asset requirements.
The income and asset limits will differ according to marital status or depend on the route taken to meet Florida’s Medicaid eligibility requirements. These numbers are subject to change.
The Medicaid eligibility income chart for Florida below includes the Florida Medicaid income limits for seniors according to the long-term service they are applying for.
| Single | Married, Both Applying |
Married, One Applicant |
Important Notes | |
| Institutional/Nursing Home Medicaid | $2,901 per month | $2,901 per month per spouse ($5,802 in total) |
$2,901 per month | All the recipient's monthly income must go towards the nursing home, except for a $160 monthly allowance. |
| Medicaid Waiver/Home and Community-based services (HCBS) | $2,901 per month | $2,901 per month per applicant ($5,802 in total) | $2,901 per month for the applicant | This is dependent on the individual's living setting. |
| Regular Medicaid/ Medicaid for Aged and Disabled (MEDS-AD) | $1,149 per month | $1,552 per month | $1,552 per month | This limit is disregarded for individuals who apply via SSI. |
Medicaid will count most sources of income towards the limit, including employment wages, alimony payments, Social Security income, and pension payments. The VA Aid and Attendance is not included among the countable assets in Florida.
If only one spouse applies for Institutional Medicaid or Home and Community Based Services, only the applicant’s income is considered in the income limit. A Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA) may be provided to support the non-applicant further. The MMMNA is currently $2,555 per month; however, if the non-applicant’s income is less, the applicant can transfer enough funds to bring it up to that amount with an option of increasing their Spousal Income Allowance if the applicant's housing and utility costs are higher.
For Regular Medicaid, both incomes are counted when determining Florida Medicaid eligibility, and the non-applicant spouse has no income allowance.
The Florida Medicaid asset limit is another important aspect in determining Florida Medicaid long-term care eligibility. These limits are outlined in the table below.
| Single | Married, Both Applying |
Married, One Applicant |
|
| Institutional/Nursing Home Medicaid | $2,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 for the applicant and $157,920 for the non-applicant. |
| Medicaid Waiver/Home and Community-based services (HCBS) | $2,000 | $3,000 | $2,000 for the applicant and $157,920 for the non-applicant. |
| Regular Medicaid/ Medicaid for Aged and Disabled (MEDS-AD) | $5,000 | $6,000 | $6,000 |
Assets that are counted in the limit include cash, investments, bank accounts, and property besides the individual's primary residence. Non-countable assets that are not included are personal items, household furnishings, and one vehicle.
In the case where one or both spouses are applying, all assets are considered jointly owned. However, if only one spouse applies for long-term care Medicaid (nursing home or HCBS), the non-applicant spouse may keep up to $157,920 of the couple's assets under the Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA). This allowance does not apply to Regular Medicaid.
Look-Back Rule: The Medicaid look-back period in Florida is 5 years (60 months) for long-term care. Any gift or asset transfers below fair market value during this time can trigger a penalty period of ineligibility. Regular Medicaid has no look-back period.
Exceeding the income or asset limit does not necessarily mean ineligibility. Florida allows for specific legal and financial strategies to spend down income and protect one’s assets.
Spending down involves using excess assets or income to pay for medical needs, home modification, or paying off debts. It is recommended to document how the assets were spent as proof of proper conduct.
Florida’s Medically Needy Program allows individuals with income above the Medicaid limit to qualify by spending excess income on medical expenses. In 2025, the income limit is $180 per month for singles and $241 per month for couples, with an asset limit of $5,000 for singles and $6,000 for couples. Once the monthly “spend-down” amount is met, you can qualify for Regular Medicaid or Medicaid for Aged and Disabled (MEDS-AD).
The Qualified Income Trusts (QITS), also known as Miller Trusts, allow individuals whose income exceeds the Medicaid limit to qualify for Nursing Home Medicaid or home and community-based services. By placing excess income into this trust each month, the individual’s countable income is reduced to meet the requirements. A designated trustee manages the funds, which may be used for specific purposes like medical expenses or Personal Needs Allowances. Any remaining funds in the trust after death will go to the state of Florida.
A Medicaid Planning Professional can guide families through the legal and financial strategies for when the applicant’s income and assets exceed the limit, including elder law Florida asset protection, but they still cannot afford the high cost of long-term care, like nursing homes or in-home services.
Navigating Florida Medicaid long-term care eligibility and applying for Medicaid in Florida can seem overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. At Senior Planning, we are here to make this process simpler and stress-free. Here are some of the steps for applying:
Choose the Right Medicaid Program: The first step is finding the right Medicaid program for you. For seniors, this may include Nursing Home Medicaid, Home and Community-Based Services, or Regular Medicaid.
Check Eligibility Requirements: Once you have chosen the appropriate program, the next step is to review the Florida requirements for Medicaid, such as income and asset limits, to ensure you qualify.
Gather Required Documents: You must prepare the necessary paperwork to verify your eligibility. Some of these documents include:
Complete the Application: Fill out the Medicaid application online or submit a paper version.
Submit the Application: Submit the application along with all the required documents. Missing or inaccurate information can delay or even deny an approval.
Check out our complete Medicaid document checklist to learn more.
How much does Medicaid pay for a nursing home in Florida? While not all nursing homes in Florida accept Medicaid, Medicaid’s long-term care will cover the full cost of nursing homes for eligible seniors, including room and board, meals, and basic medical care.
However, some nursing homes may have limited Medicaid beds or will prioritize private-pay residents, so verifying availability directly with each facility is important.
How much will medicaid pay for assisted living in Florida? For individuals interested in assisted living in Florida, Medicaid allows them to receive long-term care, including medical services, personal care, and other essential support.
These programs ensure seniors receive the necessary care without exhausting their personal resources. To meet Florida Medicaid assisted living eligibility, applicants must meet the income and asset limits, and their medical needs must require ongoing assistance.
Florida Medicaid assists seniors living at home, in adult foster care, or in assisted living residences through the following programs:
Florida’s Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) Long-Term Care (LTC) Programs: The SMMC-LTC program provides seniors numerous benefits, including adult day care, meal delivery, personal care assistance, and emergency response systems. This Medicaid system is in place of the former HCBS Medicaid Waiver.
Need help navigating the Florida Medicaid application process for long-term care? Senior Planning assists seniors and their families, guiding you through every step of the journey to ensure you or your loved one gets the care they need. Contact Senior Planning today to get started.
Medicaid covers the full cost of nursing home care for eligible individuals in Florida under the Institutional/Nursing home Medicaid program.
Florida Medicaid may pay for assisted living through the Medicaid Waiver/Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) program. However, availability is limited, so some applicants may be placed on a waiting list.
As of 2025, the income limit for a single applicant is $2,901 per month for long-term care programs like nursing homes and HCBS Medicaid, and $1,149 per month for Regular Medicaid. Income limits vary by marital status and program type.
Seniors with a monthly income below $2,901 and limited assets may qualify for housing services through Home and Community-Based Services or Regular Medicaid.
For Regular Medicaid in Florida, a senior is considered low-income if they earn $1,149 per month or less if single, and $1552 per month or less if married.
While Medicaid usually exempts your home from eligibility calculations, the state of Florida may attempt to recover the costs of long-term care after death through its Florida Medicaid Estate Recovery Program, in accordance with Medicaid payback rules in Florida, which includes the home’s value.
Yes, you can own a home and still qualify for Medicaid in Florida, provided it is the primary residence that you or your spouse lives in or intends to return to.
