Florida's eligibility standards for long-term care Medicaid (i.e., the nursing home, assisted living or in-home care) for 2025 are as follows:
Countable assets allowed for non-married applicant |
$2,000 (if applicant has gross countable income more than $967) |
Assets allowed for community spouse (known as the Community Spouse Resource Allowance) |
$157,920 |
Gross income for the Medicaid applicant |
Less than $2,901/month* |
Gross income for the community spouse |
Unlimited |
Minimum Spousal income diversion |
$2,555/month |
Maximum Spousal income diversion |
$3,854/month |
Exempt value of home (single person only) |
$730,000 |
Transfer Penalty Divisor |
$10,438/month (as of 1/2024) |
Community Spouse Excess Shelter |
$766/month |
Personal Needs Allowance |
$160/month |
Medicare Rehab Co-Pay (days 21-100)** |
$209.50/day |
Medicare Part B Premium |
$185/month for most people |
*If income is higher, a qualified income trust (or a pooled trust) will be required in order to qualify for long-term Medicaid in Florida (married or single). **Some Medi-Gap (Medicare supplements) plans will pay this co-pay. HMOs (Medicare Part C) will have similar, but not the same, co-pay rules |
Countable assets include almost anything owned by the elder, including bank accounts, stocks, bonds, cash value in life insurance and more. The homestead property is not a countable asset for Medicaid purposes unless it is worth more than $713,000 (single person only).
We have a great deal more information on Medicaid and asset protection planning on our home page. If the applicant's assets are over the limit, an elder law attorney can be instrumental in protecting assets, even within the five (5) year "look-back" period.
These numbers specifically apply to the long-term care program only, which includes paying for the nursing home and for the assisted living facility. Getting Medicaid to pay for the assisted living facility is difficult.
If your loved one just entered the nursing home for rehabilitation, you will want to read these list of questions to ask in this difficult time. You may also want to look at Medicaid spend down planning as well.
Does Your Loved One Need Long Term Care?
We may be able to help! Our law firm has done thousands of Medicaid applications from people all over Florida and we may be able to help you and your family in this difficult time. Please feel free to reach out if you need help with:
- Asset Protection and Medicaid
- 7 Lies Your Friends Say About Medicaid in Florida
- Qualified Income Trusts
- And much more . .
If you want to learn more about Medicaid and Medicaid asset protection planning for your loved one, we may be able to help you! You can learn more about how we can help by downloading our free book, Protect Your Nest Egg from a Florida Nursing Home.
Also, feel free to download my second book on Medicaid - Your Guide to Florida Long-Term Care Medicaid