Questions families ask
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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
Does it cost my family anything?
No. Our help costs your family nothing. When a private pay family we introduced moves in, the home pays us a referral fee of one month's rate. If your family member is on Medicaid, no home pays us anything, and we still help you, at no cost to your family.
Do you help families on Medicaid?
Yes, the same as everyone. Having Medicaid isn't the same as having long-term care benefits that pay for assisted living. We'll help you figure out which one you have and what to do next.
What does long-term care pay, and what do we pay?
With Medicaid long-term care, the plan covers the care. Room and board is usually paid from the person's own income, like Social Security, and some families add to it. Each home and plan is different, so we go over it with you.
Will you share my phone number?
Only with the one home you pick, and only if you say okay.
Will you just send me to your own home?
No. I run Mary's House ALF and have a personal interest in it, and I'll always tell you so. When it fits, I'll say so. When it doesn't, I'll say that too.
What does "updated 3 days ago" mean?
It's the last time the home told us about its open beds. Beds change fast, so we confirm before you visit. If a home hasn't answered in two weeks, its page says call to confirm.
Why do some places say call for price?
Because the home hasn't confirmed a price with us. We never guess a price.
Do you check the homes?
Every listed home has an active license with Florida AHCA. We check it on AHCA's public records before a home is listed, and every day after that, and each page links to the home's AHCA record so you can read the details yourself.
What do the letter grades mean?
Each home's grade comes from its public AHCA inspection record by one published rule: A has no serious items and few minor ones, B has some items with at most one serious, C has more, D means the license isn't active, and N is a new home without a routine inspection yet. Every grade shows its date and links to the state's record. It sums up the record. It doesn't rate the care. See How we grade for the whole rule.
The home that fits our budget has a C. Should we stay away?
Not necessarily. Many licensed homes have a C, and it can come from one serious item or several smaller ones. Open the home's AHCA record, ask the home what happened and what changed, and visit. A grade sums up the state's record. It doesn't rate the care. See How we grade.
What if I need a bed fast, like after a hospital stay?
Call us. If the hospital has a discharge planner, ask them to send us the request through our page for professionals. Homes that fit answer quickly.
What papers does the home need at move-in?
Most Florida homes ask for a health assessment from the doctor (Form 1823) and copies of any legal papers your loved one has, like a health care surrogate or a do not resuscitate order. Our Papers for move-in page lists them, with links to the state forms. Ask each home for its own checklist too.
Do you drive us to visits?
No. You visit on your own time. We set it up and tell you who to ask for at the door.
Can I leave a review?
Yes, on any home's page, after confirming your phone or email. Families we helped get a Verified badge. Nobody can pay for a good review.