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Almost every week a family tells me, "Mom has Medicaid, so assisted living is covered." Often it isn't, at least not yet.

Here's why.

Regular Medicaid pays for doctors, hospitals and medicine.

Paying for care in an assisted living facility is a different program: Florida's Medicaid Long-Term Care program.

Having one doesn't mean you have the other.

The first step is a phone screening.

Call Florida's Elder Helpline at 1-800-96-ELDER.

That's 1-800-963-5337.

The screening gives a priority score, and many people go on a waiting list.

The more care someone needs, the higher they usually rank.

When a spot opens, a doctor fills out a medical form, the state checks the care needs and the finances, and the person picks a Long-Term Care plan.

And Long-Term Care isn't only for assisted living.

If Mom is still living at home, the plan can pay for some help there too.

Someone to help her bathe and dress.

Light housekeeping and meals.

Adult day care.

A break for the family caregiver.

A case manager sets up a care plan that decides what she gets and for how many hours.

In some cases, the family can even choose who gives that care, like a trusted friend or relative.

If she moves to assisted living, the plan pays for the care, not the room and board.

That usually comes from her own income, like Social Security, and some families add to it.

And not every home works with every plan, so ask which plans a home takes.

If you're not sure where you stand, write down what you know.

Medicaid or not.

Screened or not.

On the waiting list or not.

The plan name, if there is one.

That tells us where to start.

No home pays us for a family on Medicaid.

We help anyway, at no cost to your family.

MiamiPlacement.com