The Florida Institutional Care Program (ICP) helps people in nursing facilities pay for the cost of their care plus provides general medical coverage. ICP eligibility is determined by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).
In a nursing facility, patients pay for services through private insurance or self-pay. The other option is Medicare or Medicaid. Medicaid can pay for intermediate and skilled care for an unlimited period of time.
Assessment
The Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA) will conduct a Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services (CARES) for an applicant. This process will determine the individual’s need of nursing facility services and the appropriate placement.
An important part of eligibility for the Institutional Care Program is financial need. Many applicants will transfer assets to family members or place them in a trust. However, sound planning is a must to accomplish this because the state has a “look-back” period for most asset transfers of five years prior to the application month.
This means that any transfer of assets within five years of applying for Medicaid in Florida may be counted as still belonging to the applicant when determining the monthly income limit of $2,200.
Eligibility Requirements
Here is a list of some of the eligibility requirements. An applicant must:
- be age 65 or older, or disabled as determined by Social Security criteria;
- be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen;
- be a Florida resident;
- have a Social Security number or apply for one;
- file for any other benefits, such as pensions, retirement, disability benefits, if applicable;
- inform DCF of any third-party health insurance;
- be determined to be in need of nursing facility services;
- be placed in a nursing home that participates in the Medicaid program; and
- have assets and income that are within the program limit.
Spousal Allowance
In the case of married couples, the assets and income are evaluated when one spouse is institutionalized and one spouse continues to live at home (the “community spouse”). The community spouse may be eligible to receive some portion of the institutionalized spouse’s income.
Questions about Applying for Medicaid?
If you have questions about the Florida Medicaid application process, contact Medicaid attorney John Frazier. He’s a skilled Medicaid planning (with over 2,000 cases completed that helped preserve their family’s savings), estate planning, and elder law practitioner. Please contact John for a free telephone consultation at 727-586-3306 extension 104. If you prefer click here now to send in a contact form, and we will call you.