Home Care in Florida

Genworth’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey shows that you can expect to pay about $4,767 per month for home care services in Florida, based on 44 hours of care weekly. This rate covers non-medical in-home care such as assistance with bathing and grooming, light housekeeping, transportation to appointments and companionship. Home health care, which adds some limited medical services like blood pressure monitoring and medication management, also costs an average of $4,767 per month.

Florida’s home care rates are below the national average of $4,957 but higher than the average rate in nearby states. Seniors in Alabama and Mississippi pay about $3,813 per month for home care services. Rates are somewhat higher north of Florida’s border in Georgia ($4,290) and South Carolina ($4,433).

At a statewide average cost of $4,767 per month, seniors in Florida also pay more for home health care than those in neighboring Georgia ($4,385) and Alabama ($3,851). In South Carolina home health care costs about $4,481, while seniors in Mississippi pay just $3,813 per month for the same type of care.

In Florida, average monthly long-term senior care rates start from $1,517 for adult day care services and go up to $8,654 for a semiprivate room in a skilled nursing facility. Assisted living care costs an average of $4,000 per month, while in-home care and home health care run about $4,767 per month.

Yes, under certain circumstances Florida’s Medicaid program does cover some in-home care services for Medicaid beneficiaries who are at-risk of institutionalization. Medicaid funds several long-term care programs that include home care — the Statewide Medicaid Managed Long-Term Care Program (SMMC LTC), the Home Care for the Elderly Waiver, the Community Care for the Elderly Waiver and the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

Eligibility for benefits through either the SMMC LTC or PACE are contingent upon a comprehensive needs assessment that includes input from your physician or another licensed medical provider. You’ll also need to show that you can continue to live independently with the services and supports offered through either of these programs.

There are several waivers and other programs in Florida that allow Medicaid beneficiaries to access home care services.

To qualify for Medicaid, you need to demonstrate that you have a low income and few countable assets. As of 2022, the annual income limit for individuals applying for Medicaid in Florida is $11,964, while the combined income for couples when both people are applying is $16,116. In terms of countable assets, which includes cash, bonds and all real estate except your own home that’s worth no more than $635,000, the limit for individuals is $5,000, and $6,000 for a couple.

*per year

In addition to complying with Florida’s income and asset limits, Medicaid applicants must also:

• Reside in Florida on a full-time basis
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, permanent resident or legal alien
• Be unable to afford the health care services they require without seeking government assistance

To apply for Florida Medicaid, you can create an online account through the Florida Department of Children and Families Automated Community Connections to Economic Self-Sufficiency (ACCESS) portal. This system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Alternatively, you can schedule an in-person appointment with your local Department of Children and Families Community Partner. Further assistance may be available by calling the state’s Elder Helpline at 1-800-963-5337.

What Information You Will Need

Because eligibility for Medicaid is based on your finances, citizenship and other factors, you’ll need to have a number of documents ready when you complete your Medicaid application. That includes:

• Proof of age
• Proof of residency in Florida
• Proof of your citizenship or immigration status
• Financial statements, including information about your bank balances and investments
• Your most recent tax returns
• Copies of any insurance policies you own, including burial contracts

How to Get Help Applying for Medicaid

If you need a hand completing your Medicaid application or you’re concerned that you’re not receiving the services that you should be, help is available.

Medicare doesn’t pay for non-medical home care, but it can cover the cost of the medical version of home care, called “Home Healthcare” in some situations. In order to be eligible, you need to be homebound and have a referral from your doctor for the specific type of medical care that is needed. There are also other restrictions that apply.

Below is an overview of some of the services typically covered by Medicare for those who are eligible:

• Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), and to treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis. Additionally, physical therapy is often provided in the home to help seniors recover from surgeries and procedures, such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Nursing Care: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services (such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.) for those who need medical care, but don’t need to stay in a hospital full-time.
• Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy is designed to help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, etc., and providers can travel to your home if needed.
• Speech Therapy: Seniors can lose the ability to adequately communicate for many reasons, and speech therapists are there to help seniors regain the ability to communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets and teaching special techniques to swallow safely.

As mentioned above, home care is distinctly different from home healthcare, but there is some overlap – so while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical home care, there are personal care services that may be covered in special circumstances – such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing.

Read our guide to Medicare and Home Care Coverage for more information.

While the above programs can be a great way to make home care affordable for many people, they are not the right solution for everyone. Thankfully, there are other ways to make home care more affordable for you and your family. For more information about your other options, read our section on Other Ways to Pay for this guide.

Seniors in Florida have access to a wide range of free and low-cost services designed to support healthy aging. These services include assistance with transportation, nutritional supports and programs to help older homeowners save money on their energy bills.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services enacted a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all home care and home health care workers nationwide who are employed by, or contracted through, any agency that receives Medicare and/or Medicaid funding.

Note that a limited number of caregivers may be unvaccinated despite the federal mandate, as some exemptions do apply. Home care and home health care workers who experienced a severe, adverse reaction to their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, as well as those with specific health conditions, may not be fully vaccinated. Also exempt are caregivers employed by private agencies.

In Florida, the Agency for Health Care Administration oversees all licensed home health agencies in the state, most of which also offer home care services. ACHA inspectors ensure that licensees comply with the rules outlined in Florida’s Chapter 591-8, the state’s Minimum Standards for Home Health Agencies.

Whether you are looking for yourself or a loved one, finding a quality home care provider can be a stressful process. To help you overcome this challenge, we’ve created a helpful checklist below that can help guide you through the process of both determining your needs, and finding a home care agency that will be the best fit for you and your family.

Download PDF Here

Learn More About Home Care in Florida’s Top Cities

• Boca Raton
• Bradenton
• Cape Coral
• Clearwater
• Delray Beach
• Jacksonville
• Kissimmee
• Melbourne
• Miami
• Miami-Dade County
• Naples
• Orlando
• Ormond Beach
• Pensacola
• Pompano Beach
• Sarasota
• Tampa
• The Villages
• West Palm Beach
• Winter Park