Home care is an excellent way for seniors or individuals with disabilities in Miami, Florida, to get the support they need. Whether you choose home care for long-term care, or you simply need short-term help while recovering from an injury or illness, you have options. Miami has 132 home care agencies, and the average cost of care is $24 per hour, though total costs vary depending on care needs. Here, to help you choose care, we offer agency listings and reviews, cost and payment information, and licensing requirement information for home care agencies in Florida.
Use our cost calculator to compare your loved one’s current living and home care expenses against the cost of senior living in Miami.
Seniors and adults with disabilities often use a combination of payment methods for home care. Many people check to see if their insurance will cover the cost of home care, whether that’s private health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid. What’s covered will differ based on your insurance provider, but it’s common for policies to only cover home care services if they’re considered medically necessary and ordered by a doctor.
As most home care services aren’t covered by insurance, long-term care insurance policies, retirement savings, personal income, and other private funds are often used to pay. Beyond these options, you may be eligible for other benefits. For instance, some Medicare savings programs and Medicaid programs can also help reduce home care costs. Additionally, veterans and their surviving spouses can apply for their eligible benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Paying for home care
Get an overview of all payment options for home care.
VA home care benefits
See how VA benefits can help veterans and their spouses pay for home care.
Home care and LTC insurance
Learn how to use long-term care (LTC) insurance to cover home care costs.
Yes, Medicare will pay for home care, but only if it’s considered medically necessary and prescribed by a doctor.[01] These medically specialized home care services are often carried out by a medical professional, such as a licensed nurse or certified nursing assistant (CNA).
Yes, Medicaid does cover some home care costs. In Florida, the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program offers home care services through its Managed Medical Assistance (MMA) and long-term care waiver programs.[02]
Miami residents can enroll in Managed Medical Assistance (MMA) for home health care medical services such as health monitoring, skilled nursing care, and medication administration.[03]
Florida’s long-term care waiver helps people over the age of 18 receive care at home to avoid moving to a nursing institution for care. To be eligible, you must meet one of the following requirements:[04]
You can check your Medicaid eligibility and apply by visiting the Florida Medicaid member portal page online.
Qualifying Miami seniors can receive home care through the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). You can enroll in PACE through Medicaid or Medicare, or both if you’re dually eligible. It’s important to note that if you enroll in PACE through Medicare, you’ll pay a monthly premium for PACE services.[05]
To be eligible, you or your loved one must meet the following requirements:[03]
A nursing home level of care typically means that someone needs round-the-clock medical oversight, which skilled nursing care provides.
The Florida PACE Centers at Miami Jewish Health serves Miami-Dade County. To enroll, you’ll need to have a pre-screening phone call, followed by an in-home visit to create a customized care plan for home care and other services.
Eligible veterans or spouses of veterans can apply for benefits to help cover the cost of home care. Since the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers many benefits and the application process can be lengthy, it’s helpful to find benefits counseling. You can work with a counselor through the VA or through a veterans service organization (VSO). Counselors can help you understand and apply for everything you may be eligible for and help with the appeals process if needed.
The Miami-Dade County Veterans Services has multiple locations in Miami:
Miami Gardens Community Resource Center
16405 NW 25th Ave.
Miami, FL 33054
Phone: 305-623-6500
Hours: Monday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Joseph Caleb Center
5400 NW 22nd Ave., 3rd Floor.
Miami, FL 33142
Phone: 305-756-2830
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
The following VSOs also have locations in Miami:
Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Miami
VAMC SCI Service 128
1201 NW 16th St., Room 1C139
Miami, FL 33125
Phone: 305-575-7180
Email: raula@pva.org
Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 10212
11350 SW 53rd Terr.
Miami, FL 33165
Phone: 305-552-1048
American Legion Post 29
525 NE 58th St.
Miami, FL 33137
Phone: 305-305-8886
Email: milhommerich@aol.com
As you consider your home care options, it’s helpful to know what to look for in a home care agency. Having an understanding of Florida’s licensing requirements, agency hiring practices, and common fees can help you choose care confidently.
Home care agencies can offer a wide range of services, from nonmedical support like homemaker services to complex medical help like in-home skilled nursing. In our listings, you’ll find the home care agencies provide an array of services. Some agencies provide only nonmedical care, others offer medical home health care, and some agencies provide both.
Use the information below to help you evaluate your local home care options and feel confident in your choice.
In Florida, home care agencies like the ones listed here are licensed by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) as home health agencies. It’s important to note that agencies don’t require a license if they only provide homemaker or companion services. In these cases, the home care agency will only need to register with the AHCA. If an agency provides personal care, such as assistance with bathing and dressing, they’re considered a home health service and require a license in Florida.[06]
To obtain a license, a home health agency must meet the following requirements:[07]
Home health agencies that provide skilled nursing care are also required to be accredited. This means an outside organization evaluates the agency to ensure they demonstrate a commitment to a higher quality of care. However, home health agencies that don’t provide skilled care and aren’t Medicare- or Medicaid-certified don’t need to be accredited.[08]
Licensed home health agencies in Florida must have an aide training program and test for home health aide competency. If requested, the home health agency must provide curriculum information to other home health agencies.[09] The home health agency must also conduct background checks for caregiver employees and contractors.[10]
It’s a common practice for Miami home care agencies to charge hourly for care. However, if you need weekend, holiday, or overnight assistance, you may pay different rates. It’s also a good idea to ask about the following to help you compare how home care agencies charge for care:
Ask these 10 questions to help you find the right home care agency.
Preferred Care at Home of South Miami, Elite Senior Home Care, LLC and American Nursing Resources, Inc. are the top-rated Home Care facilities near Miami, FL. These Home Care facilities received the highest rankings based on verified family reviews. See full list of communities.
The average cost of Home Care in Miami is {{ zipAverageCost }} per month. This cost may vary based on location, amenities, floorplan, level of care and other factors.
Home care is provided by an aide who comes to a senior’s home to help with daily chores and activities of daily living. It can be offered anywhere a senior calls home — including a house, senior apartment, independent living, or assisted living. Learn more about home care.
Home care services are customizable to a senior’s unique needs. Services can include companionship, help with chores like cooking and housekeeping, or assistance with activities of daily living, like toileting and bathing. Explore home care services in more detail.
Home care provides nonmedical services for seniors who require assistance with daily tasks like housework, bathing, dressing, and transportation. In contrast, home health care is prescribed by a doctor and includes services like skilled nursing care and therapies, health monitoring, and medication administration that are provided by licensed medical professionals. Read more about home care vs. home health care.
Medicare.gov. Home health services.
Statewide Medicaid Managed Care. Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Health plans and program.
Elder Affairs Florida. (2024, January 22). Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Florida Medicaid’s covered services and waivers.
Florida PACE Centers at Miami Jewish Health. A comprehensive health program for older adults.
Florida Administrative Code and Florida Administrative Register. (2016, July 27). Rule 59A-8.025 – Registration requirements for homemaker and companion services providers.
The Florida Legislature. (2024) Chapter 408. Health care administration. 408.8065 Additional licensure requirements for home health agencies, home medical equipment providers, and health care clinics.
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. State laws and rules.
The Florida Legislature. (2023). Chapter 400. Nursing homes and related health care facilities. 400.497 Rules establishing minimum standards.
The Florida Legislature. (2024). Chapter 400. Nursing homes and related health care facilities. 400.512 Screening of home health agency personnel; nurse registry personnel and contractors; and companions and homemakers.
Ask an A Place for Mom local advisor at no cost.
Medicare.gov. Home health services.
Statewide Medicaid Managed Care. Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Health plans and program.
Elder Affairs Florida. (2024, January 22). Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Florida Medicaid’s covered services and waivers.
Florida PACE Centers at Miami Jewish Health. A comprehensive health program for older adults.
Florida Administrative Code and Florida Administrative Register. (2016, July 27). Rule 59A-8.025 – Registration requirements for homemaker and companion services providers.
Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. State laws and rules.
The Florida Legislature. (2023). Chapter 400. Nursing homes and related health care facilities. 400.497 Rules establishing minimum standards.