The cost of long-term care is the financial risk almost no one plans for — and the one most likely to wipe out a lifetime of savings. Families assume Medicare will cover it. It won't. Understanding what care actually costs in Florida, and who really pays, is the first step to protecting both the person who needs care and the family around them.
What Long-Term Care Costs in Florida
| Type of care | Typical Florida cost |
|---|---|
| Nursing home (semi-private / private room) | ~$10,000–$12,000 / month ($120k–$150k / yr) |
| Assisted living facility | ~$4,000–$6,000 / month |
| In-home health aide | Billed hourly; adds up quickly for full-time care |
Costs vary by facility and region and rise over time — confirm current local rates.
The Medicare Myth
This is the single most important thing to understand: Medicare does not pay for long-term custodial care. After a qualifying hospital stay, Medicare may cover up to 100 days in a skilled nursing facility — fully for the first 20 days, then with a daily copay — and only while skilled care is medically necessary. Once care becomes "custodial" (help with daily living, which is what most long-term residents need), Medicare coverage ends.
Medicare vs. Medicaid — Know the Difference
| Medicare | Medicaid | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Age-based health insurance (65+) | Needs-based assistance program |
| Long-term nursing care? | No — only ≤100 days skilled rehab | Yes — covers long-term custodial care |
| Financial test? | No | Yes — income & asset limits |
Who Actually Pays — The Four Sources
- Private pay. Savings, income, and the sale of assets. At $10k+/month, even substantial nest eggs deplete fast.
- Long-term care insurance. Valuable if purchased years earlier — but most people don't have it.
- VA benefits. Aid & Attendance can provide meaningful monthly help to wartime veterans and surviving spouses who qualify.
- Medicaid. Florida's ICP program covers long-term nursing-home care for those who meet the income and asset rules — the ultimate payer for most long-term residents.
The Married-Couple Lifeline
When one spouse enters care, Florida's spousal impoverishment rules protect the spouse who stays home — letting them keep a substantial resource allowance (up to roughly $157,920 for 2025) and, in many cases, a share of the ill spouse's income. No couple should have to choose between care for one and security for the other. See how it works →
The Move to Make Now
The earlier you plan, the more you protect. A proactive plan — ideally more than five years before care is needed — uses a Medicaid Asset Protection Trust and proper titling to shield assets cleanly. But even a crisis (a parent already in a facility) is workable: experienced elder-law planning can still protect a real portion of assets. The mistake is doing nothing, or giving assets away without advice and triggering penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Reading
- Florida Medicaid Asset Protection — how to qualify and protect assets.
- The Florida Medicaid 5-Year Lookback
- Florida Guardianship · Lady Bird Deeds
Don't Let the Cost of Care Take Everything
Truestead Law helps Florida families plan for long-term care — qualifying for Medicaid, protecting the home and savings, and shielding the spouse who stays home. Plan ahead, or call us in a crisis; either way, there are options.
Florida Elder Law & Medicaid Practice →This article is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Costs, benefits, and Medicaid rules change and are fact-specific. Consult a licensed Florida elder-law attorney regarding your situation. Arthur Simpson, Esq. is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida. Attorney advertising.