What assisted living is called in Florida, what it costs, how Medicaid can help, how to check a community’s license and inspections, and who to call if something goes wrong. Every fact links to the official source.
Florida is changing its rules. A 2026 law creates a memory care services license. The state must write the rules by June 1, 2027. After that, facilities that serve memory care residents or advertise memory care generally must hold this license, and the rules will list terms like memory care or dementia care that unlicensed facilities cannot use in ads. Facilities licensed before the rules get 6 months, and some can keep current memory care residents without the license.6
Questions to ask memory care about nights.
The median cost of assisted living in Florida is $5,610 a month, below the national median of $6,200 (CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025, collected July to November 2025). Prices vary with the apartment, the level of care and the community, so ask each one for its current rate sheet, including care-level fees.
Plan with our free tools: how long will the money last? and home care or assisted living?
Medicare does not pay for assisted living. Families pay from savings and income, long-term care insurance, or benefits such as VA Aid and Attendance (estimate it). Who actually pays for long-term care.
Medicaid. Florida Medicaid's Long-Term Care program lists assisted living services as a covered service. There is a wait list, and people are released from it by priority score, not by how long they have waited. Program: Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) Long-Term Care (LTC) program.2 Medicaid does not pay rent or meals in assisted living in any state, and not every community accepts it, so ask each one.
Look up a license. FloridaHealthFinder lets you search licensed health care facilities by facility and location details, or find the ones closest to an address, city, or zip code. Search Florida’s records.7
Inspection reports. AHCA says you can view a facility's previous inspection reports on FloridaHealthFinder.4
Always visit in person, at a mealtime or in the evening if you can. Bring the tour scorecard and the 8 tour questions.
Complaints about care or conditions. AHCA takes complaints about licensed facilities like assisted living, online or by phone on weekdays. The ombudsman program can also help residents with problems. Call 1-888-419-3456 or file online.4
Abuse, neglect or exploitation. Call 1-800-962-2873. How to report.8 If someone is in danger, call 911.
The long-term care ombudsman is a free advocate for residents of assisted living and nursing homes: they help resolve problems with a community, including move-out notices. Call 1-888-831-0404 or find your local ombudsman.3
Assisted living by city
Memory care by city
Every community and county in Florida · 22 with verified resident reviews
Florida Medicaid's Long-Term Care program lists assisted living services as a covered service. There is a wait list, and people are released from it by priority score, not by how long they have waited. Medicaid does not pay rent or meals in assisted living.
The median is $5,610 a month (CareScout Cost of Care Survey 2025), compared with $6,200 nationally.
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), Bureau of Health Facility Regulation, Assisted Living Unit.
AHCA takes complaints about licensed facilities like assisted living, online or by phone on weekdays. The ombudsman program can also help residents with problems. Phone: 1-888-419-3456.
FloridaHealthFinder lets you search licensed health care facilities by facility and location details, or find the ones closest to an address, city, or zip code.
Facts checked against these official sources on September 28, 2026. Rules and programs change; confirm with the agency before making a decision. General information, not legal or financial advice.
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