Last updated: April 2025 | Source: Florida AHCA
Nursing homes (also called Skilled Nursing Facilities or SNFs) provide the highest level of long-term residential care available outside of a hospital. Florida has nearly 700 licensed nursing homes serving residents who require 24-hour skilled nursing care, rehabilitation, or complex medical management.
What Do Florida Nursing Homes Provide?
- 24-hour licensed nursing care (RNs, LPNs, and CNAs on-site at all times)
- Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Wound care, IV therapy, and tube feeding
- Dementia and memory care units
- Hospice and palliative care coordination
- Meals, housekeeping, and personal care
- Social services and recreational activities
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Nursing Home Care
Short-term (rehabilitation): Many people enter a nursing home for a few weeks after a hospital stay — for example, after a hip replacement or stroke — to receive intensive therapy before returning home. Medicare typically covers this stay for up to 100 days if certain conditions are met.
Long-term care: Some residents require ongoing nursing home care due to advanced illness, severe dementia, or significant physical disability. Long-term stays are most commonly paid through Medicaid once personal funds are exhausted.
How Are Florida Nursing Homes Regulated?
Florida nursing homes are jointly regulated by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS publishes a star rating (1–5 stars) for every nursing home in the country based on health inspections, staffing levels, and quality measures — searchable at Medicare.gov’s Care Compare tool.
What Does a Nursing Home Cost in Florida?
The average semi-private nursing home room in Florida costs approximately $8,000–$10,000 per month. Private pay is common initially; Medicaid covers costs for residents who meet both medical and financial eligibility requirements. Medicare covers short-term skilled nursing stays following a qualifying hospital admission.