Medicaid Planning Lawyer in Saint Augustine
Medicaid planning in St. Augustine with strategy and foresight
At Berg Bryant Elder Law Group, we understand how complex Medicaid rules can feel. Our St. Augustine team develops strategies that align with your goals, whether you’re planning years ahead or facing an immediate care need. We focus on practical, lawful solutions that keep your resources safe while ensuring access to quality care for you or your loved one.
Many St. Augustine families face difficult choices when a loved one needs nursing home care. With monthly costs exceeding $13,000 in St. Johns County facilities, life savings can disappear quickly. Medicaid planning creates a financial safety net that protects family assets while ensuring access to quality care. At Berg Bryant Elder Law Group, our St Augustine Medicaid planning lawyer helps families find this balance.
The right legal strategy preserves both dignity and financial security.
Medicaid is a joint federal-state program that covers healthcare costs for people with limited income and resources. For seniors needing long-term care, Florida’s Medicaid program offers significant benefits that Medicare doesn’t provide.
Unlike Medicare, which covers only short-term rehabilitative care, Florida Medicaid pays for extended nursing home stays and certain home-based care services.
However, qualifying for these Medicaid benefits involves meeting strict financial criteria. Without proper planning, many middle-class families find themselves in a difficult position—too “wealthy” for immediate Medicaid eligibility, but unable to afford long-term care costs out-of-pocket.
For St. Augustine residents seeking nursing home Medicaid (Institutional Care Program or ICP), the 2025 eligibility requirements include:
Applicants must have a gross monthly income below $2,901 (as of 2025). Income above this limit requires establishing a Qualified Income Trust (Miller Trust) to maintain eligibility.
For single applicants, countable assets cannot exceed $2,000. For married couples with one spouse needing care, the healthy spouse can keep up to $157,920 in assets (the Community Spouse Resource Allowance).
Some assets don’t count toward eligibility limits:
Medicaid reviews all financial transactions made during the five years before application. Gifts or transfers for less than fair market value during this period can trigger penalties that delay benefit eligibility.
At Berg Bryant Elder Law Group, we believe every St. Augustine family deserves quality care without financial devastation.
Duval County
Clay County
St. Johns County
St. Augustine families have several local resources for Medicaid assistance:
Several quality nursing facilities in the St. Augustine area accept Medicaid payment, including:
We help families evaluate facility options based on location, care quality, and availability.
For those preferring to receive care at home, Florida’s HCBS Medicaid Waiver provides in-home care services. The St. Johns County Council on Aging helps coordinate these services for local seniors.
The Department of Children and Families ACCESS office in St. Augustine processes Medicaid applications.
Our dedicated Medicaid planning attorneys work closely with you to create legal strategies that protect assets while securing needed benefits.
Our Medicaid planning process is structured to keep things simple and clear:
This process helps families move forward with confidence and peace of mind.
Many St. Augustine families have misconceptions about Medicaid planning:
Proper Medicaid planning isn’t about impoverishing yourself. It’s about restructuring assets according to legal guidelines. Many assets can be protected while still qualifying for benefits.
While advance planning provides more options, crisis planning strategies can still protect significant assets even after a loved one enters a nursing home or requires immediate care.
Medicare only covers short-term rehabilitative care (typically up to 100 days), not long-term custodial care. For extended nursing home stays, Medicaid becomes important for most families.
The Medicaid application process involves complex rules and documentation requirements. Simple mistakes can lead to denials or significant delays. Professional guidance helps avoid costly errors.
Our team knows both the technical aspects of Medicaid law and the emotional challenges families face during this transition. We provide clear, compassionate guidance throughout the process.
We serve families throughout St. Johns County, including World Golf Village, Julington Creek, and Ponte Vedra.
Contact our St. Augustine Medicaid planning attorneys today to schedule a consultation and learn how proper planning can protect your family’s financial security while ensuring access to quality care.
The best time to begin is now, well before care is needed. Planning five years or more in advance provides the most options and protection. Early planning significantly reduces financial stress when care needs arise. However, useful strategies exist even for those needing immediate care.
Florida’s Medicaid Estate Recovery Program seeks reimbursement from probate estates after a recipient’s death. However, with proper planning, your Saint Augustine home can often be protected from recovery claims.
Direct transfers within five years of applying for Medicaid may trigger penalties that delay eligibility. According to Florida Administrative Code 65A-1.712, penalties are calculated by dividing the transferred amount by the average monthly cost of nursing home care.
Florida’s Medicaid program includes spousal impoverishment protections that allow the healthy spouse (community spouse) to maintain income and assets.
The Florida Health Finder website provides ratings and inspection reports for all licensed facilities in Saint Augustine. Additionally, the St. Johns County Council on Aging offers free guidance on local care options and can help families evaluate which facilities best meet their loved one’s specific needs.
Serving clients throughout Duval, St. Johns, Clay, and Nassau Counties including Jacksonville, Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach, Ponte Vedra Beach, Orange Park, Fleming Island, St. Augustine, and surrounding areas.
