Everything You Need to Know About the Florida Medicaid Waiver Program

Medicaid, a federally funded and state-administered program, provides coverage for several medical conditions and tests and long-term care expenses not covered by Medicare. However, a skilled Medicaid Planning lawyer recognizes that Medicaid eligibility hinges on strict requirements; therefore, those with significant assets must include a Medicaid application in their Estate Planning strategy.  

A Florida Medicaid waiver can potentially help individuals with excess assets qualify early without as many restrictions. When seeking to secure long-term care services, assisted living facilities, or the nursing home of your choice in the future without having to spend down your assets to pay for them, it’s wise to consult a Medicaid Planning attorney.  During a consultation with an attorney, you can learn how to legally protect assets, move through the process efficiently and qualify for Medicaid benefits.

For more than 22 years, The Siegel Law Group, P.A. in Boca Raton has been helping clients throughout South Florida qualify for the program, receive the health care services they need, and preserve their hard-earned assets and legacy.  

This blog, from a knowledgeable Elder Law attorney, explains the Medicaid Planning process and waiver program. If you have questions or would like to schedule a confidential complimentary consultation, contact us at (561) 955-8515(561) 955-8515. Our Elder Law firm will help you protect what matters.

Medicaid Benefits

Medicaid offers support for individuals who require financial assistance to receive medical care. Many people who have worked hard to accrue assets mistakenly believe they cannot qualify for the program, but this is simply not true. Working with an Estate Planning law firm, high-income individuals can legally fulfill the program’s requirements and experience the peace of mind of knowing that as they age, assistance will be available to them. 

A Medicaid recipient can receive healthcare through three main categories of care:

• Managed Medical Assistance (MMA). MMA covers the costs of primary care visits, immunizations, emergency room visits, wellness appointments, prescriptions, pregnancy services, and more.
• Long-Term Care (LTC). LTC covers assisted living, nursing home care, hospice, in-home care, and some long-term therapies.
• Dental. Dental Medicaid covers costs of cleanings, x-rays, exams, and more.

However, as an Elder Law attorney can attest, high-income individuals can still fulfill the requirements and secure the services they may need in the future with the right legal strategies.

Medicaid Requirements

The rules governing eligibility for Medicaid coverage are stringent. A Medicaid applicant must meet specific financial eligibility requirements based on assets and income. Qualifications differ for a single individual versus a married couple, but include evaluation of assets, including income, real estate equity, and investments such as stocks, bonds, etc.  However, when you work with a Medicaid Planning attorney, they can help you qualify legally despite being over the income limit. 

Furthermore, a Medicaid applicant must meet one of the following conditions:

• Be pregnant;
• Have a disability;
• Be responsible for a minor child;
• Be responsible for a family member with a disability; or
• Be 65 or older.

Most people who want to preserve their legacy and secure the future for their loved ones seek the assistance of a lawyer to help them complete the Medicaid application properly and qualify for the program.

Medicaid Waiver 

Medicaid waiver is a colloquial term that describes a Medicaid program titled: Long-Term Care Home and Community Based Services. Many individuals can qualify for a Medicaid waiver under one of several waiver programs, including:

• iBudget Florida
• Developmental Disabilities Individual Budgeting
• Familial Dysautonomia Waiver
• Florida Long-Term Care
• Florida Model Waiver
• Long-Term Managed Care
• Medicaid Family Planning Waiver
• Florida Non-Emergency Transportation (NEMT)

Would you like to apply for a Medicaid waiver program but have concerns about excess assets preventing you from becoming eligible? Consult an Elder Law attorney who has helped other clients protect what matters by guiding them through the process and leveraging legal strategies to become eligible and choose the right Medicaid waiver program.

In Florida, The Agency for Persons with Disabilities runs the Medicaid waiver program for individuals with developmental disabilities. Their program, iBudget, features eight service categories:

• Life Skills Development
• Supplies and Equipment
• Personal Supports
• Residential Services
• Support Coordination
• Therapeutic Supports and Wellness
• Transportation
• Dental Services

Additional Benefits Offered by Florida Medicaid Waiver Programs

In general, Medicare does not cover home care or long-term care. On the other hand, Medicaid offers coverage for nursing home care, hospice, assisted living care, and more. Approval for a Medicaid waiver can help you secure long-term care benefits or nursing facility care sooner than if you waited to meet eligibility requirements.

Many Florida Medicaid waiver programs enable individuals to seek early Medicaid approval. Once approved, you can begin receiving all the applicable benefits.

With a Medicaid waiver, an individual could qualify early with fewer restrictions. But  because the process of applying for a Medicaid waiver can be prolonged and difficult, it is in your best interest to hire a Boca Raton law firm that assists clients throughout South Florida in fulfilling Medicaid eligibility.

Do I Need a Medicaid Lawyer?

Becoming eligible for healthcare services while preserving assets requires the knowledge and skill of a Medicaid lawyer.  A knowledgeable attorney can assist you with filing the paperwork correctly, coach you on ways to answer the qualification questions truthfully while including relevant information, and guide you through each critical phase of the process.

The Medicaid waiver wait list prioritizes applicants with the greatest need. If you minimize your need for a waiver, you could wait a long time to receive correspondence from the appropriate department. Consulting an experienced Medicaid Planning lawyer can help you discern the most relevant information pertaining to your condition.

Although you don’t need a lawyer to apply for these services, when your income is high and you possess significant assets, you could make several mistakes without the assistance of a seasoned attorney. Remember, Medicaid waiver programs have long wait lists, and rejection can delay the services you need for months or even years. Consulting an experienced attorney can help you avoid ending up at the bottom of the waitlist.

Protect What Matters with The Siegal Law Group, P.A. in Boca Raton, Serving All of South Florida

Have you been typing “Medicaid Planning lawyer near me” into your search bar in an effort to find the right Florida Medicaid attorney?

Protect what matters with The Siegel Law Group, P.A. in Boca Raton. With 100 years of combined experience, our Elder Law Attorney team has helped countless South Florida clients navigate the planning process by leveraging legal tools tailored to their unique circumstances. Call us at (561) 955-8515(561) 955-8515 or complete our online form to schedule a complimentary consultation.

I also invite you to pick up a copy of my book, Caught in the Middle: Juggling Your Elderly Parents’ Affairs While Raising Your Own Family, for just 99 cents for information about Elder Care and Medicaid Planning.

Our law firm serves Boca Raton and South Florida. We are here for you and by your side 24/7.

Copyright © 2025. The Siegel Law Group, P.A. All rights reserved.

The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.

The Siegel Law Group, P.A.
2500 N Military Trail Suite 470
Boca Raton, FL 33431
(561) 955-8515(561) 955-8515
siegellawgroup.com