Homosassa and Crystal River, Florida
Paying for assisted living in Citrus County
Both of our communities accept Florida Medicaid. This page covers what actually pays for assisted living here, including the one benefit almost every family asks about first and which does not.
What pays for assisted living, and what does not
Medicare does not pay for assisted living room and board. It is the most common misunderstanding families bring to the first phone call, and learning it on day one instead of week three saves a great deal of wasted effort.
What does pay, in Citrus County, is some combination of Florida Medicaid, VA Aid and Attendance for a veteran or a surviving spouse, a long term care insurance policy a parent may already own, and private funds. Sugarmill Manor in Homosassa and The Gardens in Crystal River both accept Florida Medicaid.
What Medicare does and does not cover
Medicare covers doctors, hospital stays, prescriptions under Part D, and a limited stretch of skilled nursing or rehabilitation after a qualifying inpatient hospital stay. Those matter, and a resident keeps all of them after moving in.
What Medicare calls custodial care is the part it does not cover: help with bathing, dressing, eating, walking and medications. That is most of what assisted living actually is. Medicare says so on its own long term care page.
Where the money usually comes from
Florida Medicaid
Both of our communities accept Florida Medicaid, so a stay can continue if a family's finances change. Eligibility depends on income, assets, and the level of help a person needs. Call either community and the administrator will walk you through how it works in your situation.
Florida long term care MedicaidVA Aid and Attendance
A wartime veteran or a surviving spouse who needs help with daily activities may qualify for an added monthly VA benefit on top of a pension. It is paid to the person, not to us, so it can go toward assisted living. Applications take time, so start early.
VA Aid and AttendanceLong term care insurance
If a parent bought a policy years ago it may pay a set amount toward assisted living. Read the policy for what triggers payment, usually needing help with a certain number of daily activities, and for any waiting period before benefits start.
Private funds
Most families begin here, often alongside one of the above, using savings, a pension, Social Security, or the sale of a home. What a stay costs depends on the community and the level of help needed, which is a conversation rather than a number on a page.
Both communities accept Florida Medicaid
8985 S Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa
Accepts Florida Medicaid in assisted living and in the secured memory care section. Call and the administrator will tell you how it applies to your parent.
(352) 382-253110845 W Gem St, Crystal River
Accepts Florida Medicaid in assisted living and in the secured memory care section. Call and the administrator will tell you how it applies to your parent.
(352) 794-7601Questions families ask
Not sure which of these your family qualifies for? Call either community, or come and ask in person.