10 Best Memory Care Facilities in Jacksonville, FL

Most families turn to private pay methods only after using public funds, like Medicaid, Medicare, and veterans benefits to pay for their loved one’s memory care. While memory care is considered a type of assisted living, associated health care expenses can often be paid for with public benefits.

Private pay methods include any financial assets that can be used to pay for memory care, such as retirement accounts, health care insurance, money from the sale of a house, and more. Individual savings are not the only way to pay for senior care. You can learn more about how to leverage your private financial assets to pay for your loved one’s memory care in the articles below.

Jacksonville lauds itself as being the most veteran-friendly city in the United States. With multiple military facilities and the Submarine Base Kings Bay, Jacksonville has plenty of resources for local veterans, and a high population of veterans of all ages. Because 17% of the city’s veterans are over 75, many of Jacksonville’s veteran resources are directed toward seniors.^[03]

Can I pay for memory care in Jacksonville with veterans benefits?

Yes, many veterans and their families use veterans benefits to cover some or all of their memory care expenses. There are multiple types of veterans benefits, some of which can be used to pay for memory care. One of the most generous is the Aid and Attendance benefit, which can be used to pay for anything that improves a veteran’s quality of life. This includes expenses related to memory care. To determine which veterans benefits your loved one qualifies for, you should speak with local Jacksonville benefits counselors.

How do I know if I’m eligible for veterans benefits?

Your loved one may be eligible for more veterans benefits than you think. Determining which benefits they’re eligible for can be tricky, as each benefit has different criteria and can cover different services. However, in Jacksonville, seniors and their families have access to a wide variety of excellent benefits counselors who can identify the right benefits and help you apply. The best option is to start with benefits counseling to ensure your loved one gets access to all the benefits they’re entitled to, even before starting an application.

Benefits counseling for veterans and their families in Jacksonville, FL

It is especially easy for veterans in Jacksonville to access benefits counseling services. Jacksonville lives up to its reputation as a veteran-friendly city by dedicating an entire city department to veterans affairs. However, local veterans and their families can find a variety of other independent organizations that offer unbiased and straightforward advice when applying for veterans benefits.

Besides benefits counseling, the Jacksonville Vet Center provides mental health counseling to local veterans and their families for no cost. Families with loved ones experiencing memory loss after their time in the military may especially appreciate this service.

Jacksonville veterans and their families can find in-depth and personal veterans benefits counseling through these organizations:

• Veterans Service Organization (VSO). Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) are a national network of VA-vetted benefits counselors. The veterans service officers who staff VSOs are experts in veterans benefits and can help you find the benefits your loved one is eligible for, and then help you and your loved one apply for them. You can find VSOs by going to the VSO webpage and clicking on “Find a new Representative,” or by going to the National Resource Directory and searching “VSO in Florida.”
• The City of Jacksonville’s Military Affairs and Veterans Department. Jacksonville’s Department of Military Affairs and Veterans serves local veterans and their families. This department provides benefits counseling to veterans and their loved one and can even appeal decisions in court. Veterans service officers are the department’s primary benefits counselors. Veterans and their families can also learn about local housing and employment opportunities in Jacksonville. To contact a service officer directly, call the department using the number listed below.
• The Florida Department of Veterans Affairs (FDVA). The FDVA provides 100% virtual benefits counseling. State-employed benefits counselors can help determine for which benefits your loved one should apply and will guide you through the application process. You can set up your virtual appointment by calling 727-319-7408.
• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Jacksonville. Local VFW and DAV chapters are unaffiliated with federal or state governments. Jacksonville VFW and DAV chapters advocate for veterans applying for benefits. These programs offer benefits counseling and can appeal decisions on behalf of veterans and their families. They also provide social and service events and are a great way to get involved with your local veteran community in Jacksonville.

Florida Medicaid may cover some of your loved one’s memory care expenses. Medicaid is a federal- and state-funded health insurance program for low-income individuals, and in Florida, the program is run by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).

Under Florida Medicaid, your loved one may be eligible for one of these two health insurance plans:

• Managed Medical Assistance (MMA). The MMA plan is the comprehensive health insurance plan under Florida Medicaid. It works the same as other health insurance plans, and it covers most health-related expenses. However, the MMA plan doesn’t cover rent or meals at a long-term care facility. If your loved one is in need of memory care, they likely should apply to Florida Medicaid’s other health insurance plan, the Long-Term Care Plan.
• Long-Term Care (LTC). The Long-Term Care Plan is specifically for individuals who need a nursing home level of care. It covers much more than the MMA plan, including rent, meals, and all care services provided at a long-term care facility. This plan is also called the State Wide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care Program (SMMC LTC).^[04]

What does Florida Medicaid’s SMMC LTC plan cover?

The SMMC LTC plan is more comprehensive than the MMA plan. It covers all medical and personal care services, rent, and meals in a nursing home. Listed below are a few other examples of what the SMMC LTC plan may cover:

• Memory care services, such as occupational therapy
• Personal care, such as bathing and mobility
• Housekeeping and laundry services
• Transportation to and from medical or therapy appointments

What does Florida Medicaid’s SMMC LTC plan not cover?

Florida Medicaid’s SMMC LTC plan won’t cover rent or meals in a facility that’s not a Medicaid-approved nursing home. However, many memory care facilities in Florida technically qualify as a Medicaid-approved nursing home, even though they may not call themselves a nursing home.

If a long-term care facility — including a memory care facility — provides skilled nursing services, it can qualify as a nursing home in Florida. However, not all nursing homes are Medicaid approved. It’s best to ask directly if your loved one’s facility is a Medicaid-approved nursing home if you’re planning to pay using Medicaid. You may also want to consult an elder care attorney.

Is my loved one eligible for Florida Medicaid’s SMMC LTC plan?

If your loved one is in need of memory care, they are most likely eligible for Florida Medicaid’s SMMC LTC plan. To be eligible for the LTC plan, a senior must need a nursing facility level of care. A senior usually must go through the Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services (CARES) program to be deemed eligible. Being in need of memory care likely qualifies an individual for the SMMC LTC plan. You can schedule a free needs assessment by contacting your local Medicaid office.

Help for applying for Florida Medicaid

You can get Medicaid benefits counseling for your loved one through a few different organizations in Jacksonville, including the following:

• The Florida Department of Health — Duval County. Duval County’s Department of Health employs Human Services Counselors who can help your loved one sign up for Florida Medicaid.
• Jacksonville’s Senior Services. Seniors and their families can access Medicaid benefits counseling through the Jacksonville Senior Services organization. They can help you determine which benefits your loved one is eligible for and apply.
• Florida Ombudsman Citizens’ Aide. You can direct any complaints you may have about Florida Medicaid to the Florida Ombudsman Citizens’ Aide. The ombudsman will help mediate or resolve your problem.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 and older. Eligibility is determined by whether or not a senior has paid their Medicare taxes during their career or whether they’re married to someone who has. If your loved one has already applied for retirement or disability benefits, they’re automatically enrolled in Medicare. If your loved one has not applied for retirement or disability, then you can help them apply for Medicare on the Social Security website.

What does Medicare cover?

Medicare covers short-term and medically necessary health care services. Short-term simply means Medicare will cover 100% of the costs of an in-patient stay in a hospital or a rehabilitation facility for up to 20 days, some of the costs until day 100, and none of the costs after day 100. Some recurring expenses, like dialysis, are considered short-term and are likely covered by Medicare.

Whether or not a medical service, item, or procedure is considered medically necessary depends on the individual. What’s medically necessary for one person may not be for another. However, you can explore common items, procedures, or tests on the Medicare website to see if they’re usually covered by Medicare.

Will Medicare cover memory care?

Medicare is limited to cover only medical expenses. Medicare won’t cover rent, meals, or most services at a memory care facility. Memory care doesn’t meet the short-term or the medically necessary standard. However, some medications, items, or procedures related to memory care may be covered by Medicare.

Can seniors in Jacksonville, FL, get help paying Medicare premiums?

Yes, seniors or their families can receive assistance with paying their Medicare premiums. Jacksonville has local Medicare Savings Programs that can help seniors pay their premiums. To be eligible for these programs, a senior needs to be under the income limit of $1,153 a month for an individual or $1,549 a month for a couple.

You can find information about these programs, including how to apply, on the federal Medicare website. You can also call Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) directly for more information or to apply.

Can seniors get help applying for Medicare?

There are plenty of programs available to help you and your loved one apply for Medicare in Jacksonville, Florida. First, you can review the Medicare website, which has information about benefit eligibility, and covered items, tests, or procedures. Then, you can contact local human services counselors who are employed by the Florida Department of Health-Duval County. You can direct any complaints or concerns about your Medicare benefits to the local ombudsman citizens’ aide.