Nursing Homes in Florida

Clarity for Florida Nursing Home Choices

Finding the right nursing home in Florida is not just a practical choice, it’s an emotional one. Families want peace of mind knowing their loved one is safe, cared for, and respected. At Berg Bryant Elder Law Group, we provide guidance on selecting, preparing for, and protecting loved ones in nursing homes across the state.

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The decision to move a loved one to a nursing home is never easy. Beyond the emotional challenges, Florida families face complex financial considerations with nursing home costs now exceeding $13,000 monthly. Without proper planning, a lifetime of savings can disappear in months.

This guide provides essential information about Florida nursing homes, Medicaid eligibility, and legal planning strategies that can help protect your assets while ensuring quality care for your loved one.

Florida’s Nursing Home Landscape

Florida has over 700 licensed nursing homes with approximately 84,000 beds. In Northeast Florida alone, there are more than 50facilities across Duval, Clay, St. Johns, and Nassau counties.

Average Costs in Northeast Florida (2025)

• Duval County: $11,800 – $14,200 per month
• Clay County: $11,400 – $13,600 per month
• St. Johns County: $12,200 – $15,000 per month
• Nassau County: $11,300 – $13,400 per month

Different Types of Care Facilities

• Nursing Homes: Provide 24-hour skilled nursing care, assistance with daily activities, medication management, and rehabilitation services.
• Assisted Living Facilities: Offer housing, meals, and help with daily activities, but provide less intensive medical care than nursing homes.
• Memory Care Units: Specialized facilities designed for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
• Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs): Campus-style facilities offering independent living, assisted living, and nursing home care as needs change.

Knowing these distinctions helps families match care options with their loved one’s actual needs.

Medicaid Coverage for Florida Nursing Homes

Medicaid is the primary payer for long-term nursing home care in Florida through the Institutional Care Program (ICP).

2025 Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for Medicaid nursing home coverage in Florida, applicants must:

• Be a Florida resident
• Be a U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen
• Be 65 or older, blind, or disabled
• Require nursing home level of care
• Meet financial eligibility criteria

Income and Asset Limits (2025)

• Monthly Income Limit: $2,901 for an individual
• Asset Limit: $2,000 for a single person

For married couples where only one spouse needs nursing home care, the “community spouse” can keep:

• Up to $157,920 in countable assets
• A monthly income of up to $3,791

Five-Year Lookback Period

Florida Medicaid examines all financial transactions made in the 5 years before application. Gifts or transfers made for less than fair market value during this period can result in a penalty period of Medicaid ineligibility.

Without proper planning, nursing home costs can drain decades of savings in mere months.

Medicare Coverage Limitations

After a qualifying three-day hospital stay, Medicare only pays for 100 days of rehabilitation or nursing home care:

• 100% coverage for days 1-20
• Partial coverage for days 21-100, with a daily copay of $216.50 (2025 rate)
• No coverage beyond day 100

When Medicare coverage ends, you must either pay privately, use long-term care insurance, apply for Medicaid, or consider alternative care arrangements.

Selecting the Right Nursing Home

Your loved one’s quality of life depends on finding the right facility.

Evaluation Criteria

• Medicare Star Rating: Review the 5-star rating system at Medicare.gov
• Staff-to-Resident Ratio: Higher ratios generally mean better care
• Inspection Reports: Check for violations and how they were addressed
• Cleanliness and Safety: Visit in person to assess conditions

Red Flags to Watch For

• Unpleasant odors
• Residents who appear unattended or unkempt
• Staff who seem rushed or unresponsive
• Evasive answers to direct questions
• Multiple complaints or violations

Taking time to thoroughly evaluate facilities now can prevent the need for disruptive moves later. Our elder law attorneys can guide you through this process and help you understand your rights as a resident or family member.

Northeast Florida Nursing Homes

Our region offers various nursing home options across four counties.

Duval County

• Life Care Center of Jacksonville – 4813 Lenoir Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32216
• Dolphin Pointe Health Care Center – 5355 Dolphin Point Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32211
• Taylor Care Center – 6535 Chester Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32217
• Cypress Village Nursing Home – 4600 Middleton Park Circle East, Jacksonville, FL 32224
• River Garden Hebrew Home for the Aged – 11401 Old St. Augustine Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32258

Clay County

• Life Care Center of Orange Park – 2145 Kingsley Ave, Orange Park, FL 32073
• PruittHealth – Fleming Island – 4970 Highway 17 South, Fleming Island, FL 32003

St. Johns County

• Westminster St. Augustine – 235 Towerview Drive, St. Augustine, FL 32092
• Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans Nursing Home – 4650 State Road 16, St. Augustine, FL 32092
• Lilac at BayView Health — 161A Marine Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084 
• The Ponce Therapy Care Center & Rehab — 1999 Old Moultrie Road, St. Augustine, FL 32086

Nassau County

• Fernandina Beach Rehabilitation & Nursing Center — 1625 Lime Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 
• Life Care Center of Hilliard — 3756 W Third St, Hilliard, FL 32046

Berg Bryant Elder Law Services

Beyond finding a good nursing home, elder care planning involves many different decisions.

Our elder law services include:

• Elder Law and Long-term Care Planning: Creating comprehensive plans to address aging-related legal and financial needs.
• Estate Planning: Developing wills, revocable living trusts, and durable powers of attorney to ensure your wishes are honored.
• Irrevocable Asset Protection Trusts: Establishing trusts that protect assets from nursing home costs when created at least five years before needing care.
• Special Needs Trusts / SSI Preservation: Creating trusts that preserve government benefits while allowing for supplemental support.
• Medicaid Planning and Applications: Developing strategies to qualify for Medicaid while protecting as many assets as possible.
• Trust Administration: Helping trustees fulfill their legal obligations in managing trust assets.
• Probate: Guiding families through the court process of distributing assets after a loved one passes away.
• Guardianship: Establishing legal authority to make decisions for those who can no longer make decisions for themselves.

Our experienced team provides personalized guidance and compassionate legal counsel tailored to the unique needs of every client. 

Jacksonville Office (Main)

• Address:7545 Centurion Parkway, Suite 108 Jacksonville, FL 32256
• Hours: M-F 9:00 A.M.-5 P.M.
• Phone:904-398-6100

Orange Park Office

• Address:1929 Park Avenue Orange Park, FL 32073
• Hours:By appointment only
• Phone:904-398-6100

St. Augustine Office

• Address:145 Land Grant Ste 6
  St. Augustine, FL 32095
• Hours:By appointment only
• Phone:904-398-6100

Get Help With Nursing Home Planning

At Berg Bryant Elder Law Group, our Florida Board Certified Elder Law Attorneys have extensive experience helping families navigate long-term care decisions. We create comprehensive plans that protect your assets while ensuring your loved one receives quality care.

Don’t wait until a health crisis forces rushed decisions. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward securing your family’s future.