At Finley Williams Law, one of the most common concerns we hear from clients is this: “If one of us needs to go into a nursing home, will the other be left with nothing?” It’s a fair question. The cost of long-term care is soaring, and Medicaid has strict financial limits. But if you’re married, Florida law has important protections in place to prevent the healthy spouse — what we call the “community spouse” — from becoming impoverished.
Let’s break down the 2025 Medicaid updates that every Florida couple should know.
Florida Long-Term Care Costs Continue to Rise
In 2023, the national average for a semi-private nursing home room reached nearly $9,000 per month, and Florida’s rates are right in line — or higher. According to Genworth’s Cost of Care Survey, many Florida facilities exceed the national average.
With 70% of adults over 65 needing some type of long-term care, this isn’t just a “what if” — it’s a when for most families.
What is Medicaid and Who Qualifies for It?
Run jointly by the federal and state governments, Medicaid – which sometimes goes by other names, depending on your state – provides health insurance to low-income populations. If you need to seek Medicaid coverage for long-term care, you may be aware that you must meet strict income and resources limits to qualify. In Florida, you cannot have more than $2,000 in “countable” assets to your name to receive these benefits.
So, what happens if you are married? Does your healthy spouse have no choice but to live in poverty? Fortunately, no – Florida has protections in place that permit the healthy spouses of Medicaid applicants to retain a certain amount in resources to protect them from becoming impoverished.
Community Spouse Resource Allowance for 2025
Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issues updated Community Spouse Resource Allowance (CSRA) figures. These CMS guidelines outline how much of the couple’s assets the healthy spouse can keep while their Medicaid spouse gets the long-term care support they need. Generally, the CSRA increases each year.
Starting January 1, 2025, a spouse who lives at home while their partner receives Medicaid long-term care benefits can retain up to $157,920 in assets (an increase from $154,140 in 2024). Under Florida law, the minimum CSRA in 2025 will be $31,584.
Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance for 2025
If you receive long-term care benefits through Medicaid while your healthy spouse continues residing at home, you may feel better knowing that there are protections in place so your partner can also keep a minimum amount of income each month. The federal government calls this their monthly maintenance needs allowance (MMNA). In 2025, the maximum MMNA will be $3,948 (an increase from $3,853.50 in 2024).
Work With an Elder Law Attorney
At Finley Williams Law, we help families:
- Preserve their savings while qualifying for Medicaid
- Structure assets properly under Florida rules
- Navigate the application process without stress
We also help with lump sum personal services contracts, pooled trusts, qualified income trusts (Miller Trusts), and pre-need planning for those who want to prepare early.