How Do I Get Financial Assistance in Florida for a Nursing Home?

According to todaysseniors.com, the average cost for nursing home care is between $168 and $192 per day. Nursing home care is a substantial financial burden for many families, couples and individuals. Fortunately, through the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), those needing long-term care in a nursing facility can apply for Medicaid Institutional Care Program, or Medicaid ICP. According to medicaidresource.com, this program "provides qualified people with financial assistance to pay the cost of their nursing home care." This particular Medicaid program doesn't pay the entire cost of nursing home care, but it pays a substantial portion.

Things You'll Need

• Medicaid ICF application

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Instructions

• 1

  Determine if you or the person in your care qualifies for Medicaid. There are a few ways to do this. If you already know of a facility you would like to use, get in touch with its representative and ask for help to determine if you qualify. Visit the Florida DCF ACCESS (Automated Community Connection to Economic Self-Sufficiency) website and click on "Prescreening." This will help you determine if you qualify. Those who are married or have several sources of income or assets, may wish to consult an attorney that specializes in Medicaid.

• 2

  Complete an application online at myflorida.com/accessflorida/, or obtain a paper application at a DCF ACCESS Florida Customer Service Center or by phone [phone]). You must meet both the asset requirement and the income requirement to qualify.

• 3

  Determine how much your contribution will be. This is also known as "patient responsibility" and is calculated by subtracting $35 from your total gross income for personal expenses and any health insurance premiums.

• 4

  Check the status of your application. You can do this through the ACCESS website.

• 5

  Educate yourself on affordable assisted living in Florida while you wait for your application to process. Visit the Florida Affordable Assisted Living website run by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (floridaaffordableassistedliving.org) to read up on long-term and assisted living facilities in Florida.

• 6

  Report any changes in income or assets, insurance coverage or anything that affects your stay in a nursing home to the Florida DCF.