Florida families are often stunned when they see the real numbers for nursing home care. Monthly bills of $9,000 to $13,000 are common, and even seven figures in savings can drain faster than expected. Understanding how Medicaid works in Florida is essential to protecting what you have built.  

What Nursing Home Care Really Costs  

In many parts of Florida, especially along the Space Coast, skilled nursing facilities now charge close to $13,000 per month. Longer life expectancies and rising rates of dementia mean families may face these costs for years, not months. Without a plan, savings, investments, and even retirement accounts can disappear quickly.  

What Medicare Covers vs Medicaid  

Medicare is health insurance, not long term care coverage. It may pay for up to 100 days of rehab after a hospital stay, but it does not cover ongoing nursing home care. For extended stays, families often turn to Florida Medicaid to help shoulder the cost.  

Core Medicaid Eligibility Rules in Florida  

Florida Medicaid for nursing home care uses a three part test:  

• Health – The applicant must truly need nursing home level care.  
• Income – Monthly gross income must be under a set cap. For those over the cap, a qualified income trust may be an option.  
• Assets – Countable assets are generally limited to $2,000, with important exemptions such as the homestead and certain retirement accounts.  

A spouse at home can usually keep a higher amount of assets, which helps protect their ongoing lifestyle.  

Why Early Planning Matters  

Florida applies a five year lookback period to past gifts. Transfers that seemed generous at the time can create months of ineligibility later. Working with an attorney who understands Medicaid, tax, real estate, and trusts can help families convert vulnerable assets into protected ones while keeping tax consequences manageable.  

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