Page 16 - Florida Long-Term Care Medicaid Post Approval Client Guide

Family First Firm • Florida Medicaid Post-Approval Guide

13. What Happens When the Medicaid Recipient Passes

When a Medicaid recipient passes away, several important steps must be taken. Understanding

these in advance helps families prepare.

Immediate Notifications
Notify Our Office: Contact Family First Firm as soon as possible so we can advise on next

steps
Notify DCF and AHCA: The care facility or family should notify the Medicaid program
Notify the Estate Recovery Program: Florida law requires notification of the Medicaid Estate

Recovery Program. Send notice and a copy of the death certificate to: Florida Medicaid
Estate Recovery Program, PO Box 12188, Tallahassee, FL 32317-2188

FFF Friendly Tip: If you have just lost a loved one, please know that there is nothing that can or
needs to be done until a death certificate has been issued. This can take some time, and that

pause is both normal and expected. For now, it is okay to focus on yourself and your family.

Medicaid Estate Recovery Program (MERP)

Federal law requires Florida to seek reimbursement from the estates of Medicaid recipients who
received benefits after age 55. This is called Estate Recovery or "MERP."

What MERP Can Recover

Nursing home care costs paid by Medicaid,
Home and community-based services, and
Related hospital and prescription drug costs.

Protections from Estate Recovery
MERP cannot recover from the estate if the deceased is survived by:
A surviving spouse,
A child under age 21, or

A blind or disabled child of any age.

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