Known as the sunshine state, Florida is a popular place for retiring seniors because of warm year-round temperatures, a low cost of living and a lack of state income tax on social security, pensions, IRAs, 401Ks and other forms of retirement income.

Seniors looking for an affordable place to retire have multiple options in Florida, as the cost of assisted living is around $4,000 per month, which is lower than the national average. Even though the cost of long-term care is affordable in Florida, seniors typically need assistance with paying for care. The state’s Medicaid program offers one waiver to help pay for services received in assisted living, but most seniors use private funds, such as reverse mortgages, lines of credit, personal assets and part-time work to cover assisted living fees. Some insurance plans may also help cover the cost.

This guide provides cost comparisons on national and state averages, as well as some costs in cities throughout the state. It also includes a list of free and low-cost resources and an overview of how Medicaid and Medicare can help.

How Much Does Assisted Living Cost in in Florida?

Assisted living costs average around $4,000 per month in Florida, while the nationwide average is $500 more at $4,500, according to the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey. Neighboring states have lower costs than Florida, with Georgia being less expensive at $3,535 per month. Alabama seniors can expect to pay around $3,503, and Mississippi residents pay around $3,500 per month.

The Cost of Assisted Living in Florida’s Top Cities

Seniors who want to retire in an assisted living community in Florida have options when it comes to costs. The assisted living average in Orlando is the same as the state average of $4,000 per month. Tampa has one of the lowest costs at $3,350. In the northeast panhandle of Pensacola and Panama City, the average assisted living costs are around $4,323 and $5,081, respectively. In Miami, further south, the price is $4,385 monthly.

The Cost of Assisted Living vs. Other Types of Care

Long-term care in Florida is not limited to assisted living, which has a room rate of around $4,000 per month. Seniors who need around-the-clock skilled nursing and assistance with personal care may opt for a semiprivate room in a nursing home, which costs around $8,654 per month. It’s the most expensive option but offers the most comprehensive levels of treatment.

At $4,767 per month, a home health aide can provide similar services while allowing the individual to remain in their own home. Homemaker services, also at $4,767, don’t provide medical services but offer help with activities of daily living, including grooming, dressing, bathing, housekeeping, meals and transportation. For those who only need assistance during the daytime hours, adult day health care costs the least at $1,517.

Can You Use Medicaid to Pay for Assisted Living in Florida?

Florida’s Medicaid program doesn’t directly cover the cost of assisted living but offers the Long-Term Care Wavier that can help pay for certain services within a residential care environment. Florida Medicaid typically covers the room and board portion for seniors who require a nursing home level of care.

The Long-Term Care waiver is covered under the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Program (SMMC). Most state Medicaid recipients receive their services through this program. Aside from the Long-Term Care waiver, two other programs make up the SMMC: the Managed Medical Assistance Program (MMA) and the Dental Program.

Waiver Programs for Assisted Living in Florida

Long-Term Care Waiver

The Long-Term Care Waiver in Florida provides support and services to people aged 18 and older who have specific chronic conditions, as well as seniors aged 65 and up who need nursing home care. It’s an entitlement program, which means there are limited active participants. Once the plan limits have been met, eligible individuals are placed on a wait list. Services covered in an assisted living community include meals, personal grooming and mobility.

To qualify, seniors must be:

• Aged 65 and older
• A resident of Florida
• Currently enrolled in Medicaid Parts A and B
• Nursing home eligible
• Eligible for Medicaid by meeting certain asset and income limits

Seniors must apply at a local Area Agency on Aging.

Eligibility for Medicaid in Florida

To receive benefits, Medicaid recipients in Florida must meet income and asset limits based on the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). For 2022, a single applicant must have an income of no more than $30,276. Many sources count towards the income limit, including employment, alimony payments, pensions, Social Security disability, Social Security and stock dividends. In a single-person household, the asset total is $2,000. For a two-person household with only one person applying, the remaining spouse may be entitled to a Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance under the spousal impoverishment rule, which aims to ensure that the remaining senior has enough money to live on. In a two-person household with both seniors applying, the asset limit is $3,000.

2022 Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors in Florida

	Income Limits*	Asset Limits
Single Applicant	$30,276	$2,000
Two-Person Household(Only One Person Applying)	$30,276 per applicant	$2,000 for applicant$137,400 for non-applicant
Two-Person Household(Both People Applying)	$30,276 per applicant	$3,000

*per year

 Additional Eligibility Requirements:

• Resident of Florida
• Citizen of the U.S. or legal alien
• 65 years of age or older
• A need for nursing home level care

Applying for Medicaid in Florida

Seniors applying for state Medicaid may apply online through ACCESS Florida or by calling (850) 300-4323. To apply through the mail, download the application, fill it out and mail it to ACCESS Central Mail Center, P.O. Box 1770, Ocala, FL 34478-1770 or fax it to (866) 886-4342 or any local Department of Family and Children’s Services Office.

Before You Apply:

Before applying for Florida Medicaid, be sure to have all the important documentation on hand.

• Birth certificate
• Proof of citizenship or qualified alien status
• Social Security Number
• Government-issued ID
• Copies of bank statements for the past 60 days
• Copies of income for the past 60 days
• Copies of property ownership, including deeds and titles
• Copies of insurance policies
• Retirement award letters

Where to Go to Get Help

Seniors who need assistance applying for Florida Medicaid can contact one of the agencies below. They can also provide updates on applications and answer questions about state benefits.

Resource	Contact	Description
Florida Department of Children and Families	(850) 300-4323	The Florida Department of Children and Families has trained caseworkers who can assist seniors in applying for state benefits, including Medicaid.
Benefits.gov	(800) 610-1863	Benefits.gov is a federal website that provides a starting point for information about state and federal benefits. By contacting the toll-free number, seniors can get answers about Medicaid, including how to apply and eligibility information.
Florida Health	(800) 342-3556	Florida Health is operated by the Florida Department of Health to answer questions regarding state benefits. The agency’s vision is that health belongs to everyone and fostering a healthy culture requires the participation of everybody in the state. Programs and services offered by Florida Health include insurance counseling, education and free health assessments.

Can You Use Medicare to Pay for Assisted Living in Florida?

Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover the cost of assisted living in Florida. Unlike nursing homes, assisted living facilities are not considered to be “clinical settings’ and so are not eligible for Medicare coverage. That being said, you can still use Medicare to cover the cost of approved medications, doctor visits, medical equipment, etc.

For more information about what Medicare visit medicare.gov.

Are There Other Financial Assistance Options for Assisted Living in Florida?

	How to Apply	How It Works
Aid and Attendance	Apply online at va.gov.	If you are a veteran and you receive a VA pension, you may also be eligible for the Aid and Attendance benefit. This benefit takes the form of a monthly cash allowance that you receive in addition to your standard pension. This benefit is used by veterans who need long-term care services, including care received at an assisted living facility.
Reverse Mortgages	Research and learn about the different types at ftc.gov	If you own a home, you may be able to use a reverse mortgage to access some of the equity in your home. Like traditional loans, reverse mortgages do need to be repaid with interest, typically within 12 months, so seniors should carefully weigh this option alongside other financing methods.
Long-Term Care (LTC) Insurance	Learn about how to receive LTC insurance benefits at acl.gov.	While those who currently need assisted living will typically not be eligible, if you purchased an LTC insurance policy in the past, you may be able to use it to help pay for assisted living. While most policies cover at least a portion of the cost, you still need to check the specific terms of your policy.

Free and Low-Cost Resources for Seniors in Florida

Florida has multiple free resources that help seniors improve their quality of life by addressing common needs. Some of these resources are regional, while others are from statewide agencies that provide everything from transportation to insurance counseling.

Resource	Contact	Description
Seniors Resource Association	(772) 569-0760	The Senior Resource Association is a nonprofit organization that promotes a healthier lifestyle among seniors. These programs include home-delivered and congregate meals, transportation, adult enrichment, health and fitness and case management.
Department of Elder Affairs	(850) 414-2000	The Florida Department of Elder Affairs promotes the safety, well-being and welfare of seniors, their families and caregivers. Programs and services include transportation, elder protection, guardianship, community support, disaster preparedness, food assistance and emergency home assistance.
Senior Resource Alliance	(800) 963-5337	The Senior Resource Alliance is a nonprofit funded by the Federal Older Americans Act that serves individuals aged 60 and older. The agency is involved in the planning, coordination, development and evaluation of services, including an elder helpline, job assistance, health and well-being programs and telephone reassurance.
Florida Council on Aging	(850) 222-8877	The Florida Council on Aging serves older adults through education, information sharing and advocacy. The agency’s website also includes a list of resources and publications with answers to some of the most common questions about aging.
Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs	(727) 319-7440	The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs helps men and women who’ve served in the military locate benefits and compensation to which they are entitled. The agency also helps seniors apply for the Aid and Attendance benefit that helps pay for activities of daily living in long-term care facilities.

COVID-19 Rules for Assisted Living in Florida

The following information is based on research done on several government websites, including floridahealthcovid19.gov and cdc.gov. These rules apply to nursing homes and other types of senior living facilities. We’ve most recently updated this data on 2/3/2022, but since COVID-19 is a rapidly evolving pandemic, contact your local senior living facility or Area Agency on Aging for more specific and up-to-date information.

Visiting Loved Ones

Can I visit my relative in person if he/she wants emotional support from me?	Yes (Conditions Apply)
Can I visit my relative in person for end-of-life compassion care?	Yes
Will my loved one be required to self-quarantine after I visit him or her?	No
Do I need to wear PPE and/or a cloth mask if I do visit my relative in person?	Yes
Are Hairdressers and other non-medical contractors still allowed in senior living facilities?	Yes
Does the state recommend or require that senior living facilities assist families with setting up virtual visit alternatives?	Yes
Are visitors being screened for elevated temperatures?	Yes
Are visitors being asked questions about health, travel, and potential virus contact?	Yes

Outings and Group Activities

Are residents allowed to leave the facility for non-medical reasons?	Yes
Are residents of senior living facilities who leave and return required to self-quarantine?	No (Conditions Apply)
Are senior living facilities required to cancel all group outings?	No
Are residents still eating together in the dining hall?	Yes
Are facilities still allowed to host group activities within the community?	Yes

Safety Measures for Staff & Contractors

Are staff members and contractors being screened for elevated temperatures?	Yes
Are staff members and contractors being tested for Coronavirus?	Yes
Are staff members and contractors being asked questions about health, travel, and potential virus contact?	Yes

Safety Measures for Residents

Are staff members required to regularly screen residents for coronavirus symptoms?	Yes
Are residents relied on to screen themselves and self-report potential coronavirus symptoms?	No
Are staff members required to take residents’ temperatures?	Yes
Are residents being tested for coronavirus?	Yes

Assisted Living Laws and Regulations in Florida

Assisted living facilities in Florida are regulated by the Agency for Health Care Administrations’ Bureau of Health Facility Regulations. The agency provides laws and regulations on everything from health and safety and recreational activities to staffing and meals. The agency also ensures facilities maintain the rights of their residents through elder laws.