Seniors in Fort Myers and Cape Coral who no longer drive have more options than most families realize: LeeTran’s Passport paratransit ($3 a trip for riders who qualify under the ADA), the county’s Transportation Disadvantaged program for lower-income riders, the Cape Coral Mini-Bus, three volunteer driver programs that charge nothing, rides included in Medicaid long-term care and many Medicare Advantage plans, phone-booked rideshare, and a private caregiver who drives, waits, and walks your parent into the appointment. This guide lists each one with the phone number, cost, and catch, then explains when a caregiver is the better answer.

Details below were verified in September 2026, but fares and rules change. Call before you count on any of them, and when you do, let them know Abby Services referred you.

Public and county programs in Lee County

LeeTran fixed-route buses

Regular LeeTran buses cost $1.50 a ride, or $0.75 for seniors 65 and older and riders with disabilities. Practical for people who can walk to a stop and stand while they wait; not practical for most of the families who call us. Route maps and schedules are at leegov.com/leetran, or call 239-533-8726.

LeeTran Passport (ADA paratransit)

Passport is door-to-door, shared-ride service for people whose disability prevents them from using the regular bus. It runs wherever and whenever fixed-route buses run, so coverage in outlying areas can be limited. Riders must be found eligible first, which means an application and sometimes an in-person assessment.

• Fare: $3 per one-way trip
• Booking: at least one day ahead, up to a week ahead, by phone or the LeeTran Passport app
• Apply or ask about eligibility: LeeTran Passport Office, 239-533-0300, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Details: leegov.com/leetran/passport

Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) program

For riders who cannot drive and cannot afford transportation, with household income at or below 225 percent of the federal poverty level. Income must be documented; self-declaration is not accepted. Trips must start or end outside the ADA bus corridor, service runs seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., rides are booked two days ahead, and riders recertify every year. Apply through the same LeeTran Passport office at 239-533-0300; program details are at leegov.com/leetran/td-service.

Cape Coral Mini-Bus

Run by the City of Cape Coral for seniors and residents with disabilities who cannot drive, cannot use public transit, and do not live with a relative who can drive them. Trips are for medical appointments and weekly shopping within Cape Coral only.

• Cost: $12 per round trip, with punch cards in 5- and 10-ride packs and fee assistance for qualifying clients
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; book at least 72 hours ahead
• Wheelchair-accessible vehicles: yes
• Phone: 239-574-0573

Volunteer driver programs (free)

These are the best-kept secrets on this list. Rides are free, drivers are screened volunteers, and the programs try to match you with the same driver each time. Capacity is the limit: book early and expect that a same-week request may not be possible.

• Dr. Piper Center, Faith in Action: free rides for older adults to doctors, dentists, pharmacies, and grocery stores across Lee County, driven by volunteers 55 and older, matched by ZIP code when possible. 239-332-4346, drpipercenter.org
• Neighbors Network of Lee County: a member-run “village” of neighbors helping neighbors with rides, errands, and companionship, including someone to sit with you at the appointment. 239-209-9867, leeneighbors.helpfulvillage.com
• F.I.S.H. of SanCap: volunteer rides for Sanibel and Captiva residents to medical appointments on and off the islands. 239-472-4775, fishofsancap.org

Rides covered by Medicaid or Medicare Advantage

If your loved one is enrolled in a Florida Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care plan, non-emergency transportation to covered services is included; the transportation provider’s number is on the plan ID card. To be screened for the long-term care program, call the Elder Helpline at 866-413-5337 (Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida). Many Medicare Advantage plans now include a set number of rides to medical appointments each year as a supplemental benefit; check the plan’s Evidence of Coverage or call the member services number on the card. Original Medicare does not cover routine transportation.

On-demand and private options

• Rideshare by phone: GoGoGrandparent books Uber and Lyft rides for people without a smartphone, with a monthly membership plus the fare. 1-855-464-6872. Uber and Lyft also offer Uber Health and Lyft Concierge, which some clinics use to send a car to a patient.
• Wheelchair van and stretcher transport: private non-emergency medical transport companies serve Lee County for riders who cannot transfer into a car. Expect to pay by the trip and book ahead; your physician’s office or discharge planner usually has current names.
• A private caregiver who drives: covered below.

When a parent should not be driving

Most families come to this page because a parent has had a close call, a fender-bender, or a doctor’s quiet suggestion. The conversation is hard because the car is independence. It goes better when you can put a real alternative on the table at the same time: a specific ride to the Tuesday cardiology appointment, a standing grocery run, a named driver. That is what the programs above give you. If the concern is safety today, the physician can order a driving evaluation, and Florida allows a family member to submit a confidential medical report to the DHSMV Medical Review program. Use that as a last resort; a plan usually works better than a confrontation.

Local nurse, local rides: when a private caregiver is the better answer

Every program above has a catch: a waitlist, an income test, a 72-hour booking window, a service area that stops at the city line, or a driver who waits in the car. For a senior who is frail, has memory loss, or needs help getting from the curb into the exam room, the ride itself is only half the problem. Someone has to go in.

A private caregiver referred through Abby Services drives your loved one in their own car or yours, waits, takes notes in the appointment if you want a second set of ears, picks up the prescription on the way home, and reports back to you. Caregivers can also handle the grocery run, the pharmacy, the hair appointment, the church service, and exercise classes such as Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson’s, on a schedule you set rather than one the program sets. Abby Services is a nurse-owned, state-licensed nurse registry in Fort Myers; since 1997 we have matched Southwest Florida families with screened, credentialed private caregivers who are independently employed and directed by the family. Transportation is one of the most common things our companion care clients ask for, and a few hours a week is often enough.

One practical note: because the caregiver works for you, not for a transportation company, you and the caregiver decide whose vehicle to use, and the auto insurance on that vehicle is what applies. Before the first trip, call your insurer (or ask the caregiver to call theirs) and confirm the driver and the use are covered. It is a five-minute call that heads off an argument nobody wants after a fender-bender.

The programs on this page are good, and we send families to them every week. Use them for what they do well, and use a private caregiver for the trips where your parent needs a person, not just a ride. Call our office at 239-590-0861 or tell us what you need online. And when you call any program above, let them know Abby Services referred you.

Frequently asked questions

What free transportation is available for seniors in Fort Myers?

Three volunteer driver programs charge nothing: the Dr. Piper Center’s Faith in Action program (239-332-4346), Neighbors Network of Lee County (239-209-9867), and F.I.S.H. of SanCap for Sanibel and Captiva (239-472-4775). Rides are booked ahead and depend on volunteer availability.

How does LeeTran Passport work?

Passport is LeeTran’s ADA paratransit service: shared-ride, door-to-door transportation for people whose disability keeps them from using the regular bus. Riders apply through the Passport Office at 239-533-0300, pay $3 per one-way trip, and book one to seven days ahead. Service is available only where and when fixed-route buses run.

Does Medicare pay for senior transportation?

Original Medicare does not cover routine rides to appointments. Many Medicare Advantage plans include a limited number of rides as an extra benefit; check the plan documents. Florida Medicaid long-term care plans include non-emergency medical transportation for enrolled members.

Is there senior transportation in Cape Coral?

Yes. The Cape Coral Mini-Bus (239-574-0573) takes seniors and residents with disabilities to medical appointments and weekly shopping within Cape Coral for $12 per round trip, booked 72 hours ahead. LeeTran Passport and the volunteer programs also serve Cape Coral.

Can an in-home caregiver drive my parent to appointments?

Yes. Caregivers referred through Abby Services can drive, wait, accompany your parent into the appointment, handle errands on the way, and report back to the family. Families set the schedule, so rides are not limited to program hours or booking windows.

Sources

• LeeTran — Passport (ADA Service)
• LeeTran — Transportation Disadvantaged Program
• City of Cape Coral — Mini-Bus Service
• Cape Coral Breeze — Neighbors Network of Lee County offers transportation options (Jan 2026)
• Dr. Piper Center — Faith in Action

What are the best beaches in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Sanibel?

So you found this post because you are looking for the best beaches in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Sanibel. What on earth does that have to do with senior care, in-home caregivers, and Abby Services?

Well, we are a local family-owned business serving the Fort Myers area since 1997. Very frequently we answer these questions for clients, families, and their visiting guests, so we thought, “Let’s get our thoughts (as locals) about the best beaches in Fort Myers down to share with everyone.” We’ve also added a section near the end on which of these beaches work best for seniors and anyone with limited mobility, since that is a question we get often.

How is this “best of” list sorted?

That’s a great question. The Greater Fort Myers area is a destination with a lot to do. Honestly, the list isn’t sorted. This is just a collection of some of the best beaches in Fort Myers and the surrounding area that we wanted to share.

Did we miss something? Leave a comment so we can update this list. We are always looking for new and undiscovered adventures. According to VisitFortMyers.com, our area is home to over 50 miles of shoreline, from Sanibel and Captiva Islands to Fort Myers Beach, Bonita Springs, and Boca Grande.

Bowditch Beach

Bowditch Beach is certainly a favorite for us. In my opinion, it is one of the best beaches in Fort Myers, and it is our go-to. As local Fort Myers residents, we like to go early in the morning and drink our coffee while the kids play in the surf and explore.

Depending on the time of year there is always something new and different. We have seen lightning whelk mating season, where so many come to shore it’s impossible to count. Dolphins chasing the Key West Express first thing in the morning. Sea hares that dance through the water and squirt weird purple goo when handled. The list goes on. Bowditch is at the northern end of Fort Myers Beach.

Things to consider when visiting Bowditch Beach:

• Beach parking fills up fast. That, combined with seasonal traffic, makes timing important. If we don’t get on the road early we usually don’t bother going.
• Plan to walk. The beach is about 200 to 300 yards from parking, including a walk down a boardwalk. Once on the beach you can pick an empty spot that may involve an additional hike. This is not the typical crowded beach, and that’s why we love it.
• Explore while you’re there. Walk around the point by bearing right, and across the water you can see Sanibel, the Sanibel lighthouse, and the causeway.
• Can you bring a dog? Bowditch is part of the local Parks & Rec service, separate from Fort Myers Beach, and it prohibits dogs. (I’ve bent this rule and my kids do not approve.)

Fort Myers Beach (Times Square)

The heart of Fort Myers Beach is called Times Square. It has to be on any list of the best beaches in Fort Myers. This area has the typical tourist-trap shops, restaurants, bars, and ice cream, plus a pier you can walk or fish off of. It’s the closest thing to a Jersey Shore vibe you’ll find here. The beach is wide and broad with plenty of activity.

Things to consider when visiting Fort Myers Beach:

• This is one of the busier beaches in the area. If you’re looking for solitude, look elsewhere.
• There is ample parking within walking distance, but it fills up and can be expensive. (I recently saw $35 all-day parking on a private lot. Atypical, but annoying.)
• Traffic patterns can be odd when leaving the island over the bridge. Go with the flow and follow the signs. Often you’re directed under the bridge onto Estero Blvd.

Fort Myers Beach (Public Access Points Along Estero Blvd)

Fort Myers Beach is a barrier island with a lot of shoreline, much of it occupied by private residences or resorts, which limits public parking. All along Estero Blvd, the main drag, are public access points with limited parking.

What to expect from these locations:

• Parking is hit or miss. You can go from one access point to the next hoping for a spot, and it fills up fast depending on the season. Unauthorized parking will get you towed.
• Spaces are paid by phone at $5 per hour, plus “convenience fees” that feel a little steep.
• Because access is limited, these beaches tend to be less crowded, which is nice.
• Leashed dogs are permitted, and there are dog waste bags available.

Dog Beach

Dog Beach, as the name implies, is explicitly for dogs. This is the one place you can let your dog off-leash to run free. Depending on the tide it may be small or more spread out, with dogs of all sizes and mostly respectful owners.

Dog Beach pointers:

• There are poop bags, but not right on the beach. Bring your own and carry your trash out to the cans in the parking area. Don’t be that guy.
• Bring a chair, not food. I’ve made the snack mistake. Dogs will be dogs and will beg, beg, beg.
• Bring water and a bowl. All that running and swimming makes them thirsty.
• Toys are a gamble. Unless you have an alpha pooch, other dogs may claim that special toy. A simple tennis ball you don’t mind leaving behind works best.

Lovers Key

Lovers Key is a State Park, and definitely one of the best beaches in Fort Myers. As a barrier island, access can be limited, and it’s a popular boat destination. If you don’t have a boat, you can reach the beach by tram from the public parking area. It’s a natural beach, with downed trees and brush near the waterline rather than the broad combed sand some expect, but there’s plenty of room to lay out a towel.

Lovers Key pointers:

• Be prepared. There are bathrooms and some concessions, but this is not a quick in-and-out beach. You’ll wait for and ride the tram.
• Kayaking and paddleboarding are popular here, both offshore and inshore. Drop sites exist if you have your own, and rentals are easy to find. Explore inshore where you’re protected from the wind and small waves.

Big Carlos Pass Beach

I had always considered Big Carlos Pass the northern part of Lovers Key. My wife recently argued it’s a separate beach, and I get her point. It sits at one of the bridges you cross driving down Estero Blvd, and it’s popular with beachgoers, boaters, fishermen, and locals.

There isn’t much formal info on it, which is a shame because it’s a great beach and certainly one of the best in Fort Myers. It has pull-off parking and port-a-potties maintained by local municipalities.

Things to know when visiting Big Carlos Pass Beach:

• There’s ample paid parking. Pull off Estero Blvd, grab an envelope from the parking station, and display the hang tag.
• The beach is spread out. The further you walk, the more isolated and private it gets.
• Watch the current. As the tides change, the current moving through the pass gets quick, so keep an eye on the kiddos.

Sanibel Beaches

Sanibel is essentially one big beach, with miles of coastline and many public beaches. By nature it can be difficult to reach: one way on, one way off, and a toll to cross. It’s beautiful, popular, and can be crowded with limited parking. Here are our two favorites.

Lighthouse Beach is a popular choice because it’s not far into the island, so even with bridge traffic it stays accessible. Parking fills up but is more reasonable than most of the island. The water is gorgeous, the beach has a natural feel, and it’s a popular shelling destination.

• Check your map app for drive time. Bridge traffic backs up, so plan accordingly.
• Because of the toll and parking, this tends to be a longer visit for us. Stop at Publix before the island for food and snacks. If you’re not from here, you have to get a “Pub Sub.”
• Bring a bucket. You’ll fill your pockets with shells fast. Just don’t take any live shells or sand dollars. It’s illegal, and they’ll stink.

Blind Pass Beach is where Sanibel meets Captiva, and in my opinion one of the best sunset spots in the area. It’s further in, so it’s a bit harder to reach, and parking is extremely limited and often full (enforcement is aggressive). Be careful with little ones; there’s a lot of current with the changing tides.

• Plan ahead. For a sunset, some cheese and snacks go a long way. Check traffic and give yourself plenty of time.
• The bridge is a popular fishing spot. Watch what’s biting or bring a pole, but check fishing license requirements first.
• Patience pays with parking. Spots do turn over. Be patient and kind.
• The seawall toward Captiva is a great place for sunset pictures.

Barefoot Beach

Barefoot Beach is technically in North Naples, at the end of the same barrier island that’s home to Fort Myers Beach, so I’m including it. The first time I went, I felt like I’d arrived at the wrong place, because you drive back through an upscale neighborhood to reach the park. The homes are gorgeous, and the beaches are equally beautiful. There’s ample parking, and even on busy days I’ve found a spot.

Barefoot Beach tips:

• Pack for the day. For me this is a day-trip beach: shelter, cooler, and activities for the kids.
• Watch for wildlife. I frequently see gopher tortoises in the parking lot, dolphins off the coast, and sometimes manatees along the shoreline.

Bunche Beach

Bunche Beach is my choice when the other beaches are too crowded. It isn’t on everyone’s radar, but it’s a great natural beach where, depending on the tide, you can walk hundreds of yards offshore to explore the surf.

Bunche Beach also carries real history. It was the only beach in the area where Black residents could enjoy the sand when the region was segregated in 1949, and it’s named after Ralph Bunche, the first African American to win the Nobel Peace Prize, in 1950.

Some people would argue this beach doesn’t belong on a “best of” list and compare it to a mudflat. I think of it as a more natural beach. I’ve caught many sea trout offshore, and there are snook and other native species in the surrounding mangroves.

Bunche Beach tips:

• Wear sandals or water socks to protect your feet from sharp shells and oysters. Depending on the tide, the sandy areas can get mucky. Don’t let that turn you off; it’s well worth exploring.
• If you can, rent a kayak or paddleboard. It’s a great way to explore the mangroves and coastal areas.

Which of These Beaches Work Best for Seniors and Limited Mobility?

A big part of what we do is help older adults keep doing the things they love, and for a lot of Southwest Florida families, that includes the beach. A visit takes a little more planning when mobility, heat, or stamina are concerns, but it is absolutely doable. Here’s how the beaches above stack up.

Easiest to access: Lighthouse Beach on Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach (Times Square) have the most parking closest to the sand and paved paths, restrooms, and shade nearby, which makes them the gentlest options for someone who tires easily or uses a walker. Barefoot Beach also has ample, reliable parking and facilities.

Beach wheelchairs and mat access: Several Lee County and Sanibel beaches offer free beach wheelchairs (wide-tire chairs that roll over sand) and firm mat pathways down to the surf. [VERIFY current availability and reservation process with Lee County Parks & Recreation and the City of Sanibel before publishing, since these programs change seasonally.] Calling the specific beach or park office ahead of time is always worth it.

Plan around the hard parts:

• Heat and sun. Go early morning or late afternoon. Bring shade, water, and more sunscreen than you think you need. Older skin and medications can make sun and heat riskier.
• Distance from car to sand. Bowditch, Lovers Key, and Blind Pass all involve a real walk or a tram. Beautiful, but not ideal for a first outing with someone who has limited stamina. Start with an easier beach.
• Restrooms. Confirm real restrooms, not just port-a-potties, if that matters. Times Square, Lighthouse Beach, Lovers Key, and Barefoot Beach are your safer bets.
• Footing. Skip Bunche Beach’s mucky tidal flats for anyone unsteady on their feet. Firmer, groomed sand is safer.

If a loved one would love a morning at the beach but can’t manage the outing alone, a caregiver can make it happen: handling the driving, the gear, the walking support, and the watchful eye, so the day is relaxing instead of stressful. That kind of companion care and daily support is exactly what our caregivers do.

Thanks for reading our list of the best beaches in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and the surrounding area. We hope it helps you, and the people you’re showing around, get out and enjoy the coast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lee County 211 is a free, confidential helpline run by United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades that connects you with local health and human services: food, rent and utility help, transportation, Medicaid and long-term care programs, caregiver support, and more. Dial 2-1-1 from any local phone, or call 239-433-3900 if 2-1-1 does not connect. It answers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in English and Spanish, and it is for non-emergency needs. For a medical emergency, call 911.

Families in Fort Myers and Cape Coral call our office every week with questions that 211 is built to answer, so this page explains what 211 does, what it does not do, and where a private caregiver fits when a referral is not enough. When you call any of the programs below, let them know Abby Services referred you.

How to reach Lee County United Way 211

• Phone: dial 2-1-1, or call 239-433-3900 (use this number from a cell phone, hotel phone, or from outside Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties)
• Hours: 24/7, every day of the year
• Online: search the resource directory yourself at unitedwaylee.communityos.org, or chat through unitedwaylee.org/211
• Languages: English and Spanish, with interpretation for other languages
• Cost: free and confidential

You will speak with a trained Community Resource Specialist who asks about your situation and gives you the names, numbers, and eligibility basics for the programs that fit. You can call on behalf of a parent or neighbor.

What 211 can help a senior or family caregiver with

211 keeps the county’s most complete directory of assistance programs. The requests we hear most often from older adults and their families:

• Food: home-delivered meals (see our guide to Lee County Meals on Wheels), food pantries, and SNAP application help
• Bills and housing: emergency rent, mortgage, and utility assistance, weatherization, and housing counseling
• Getting around: paratransit and medical transportation options (see our senior transportation guide)
• Medicaid and long-term care: where to start with Florida’s Medicaid long-term care program and the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care waiver, which can fund in-home help for those who qualify
• Caregiver support: respite programs, support groups, and Alzheimer’s and dementia resources
• Mental health and crisis: counseling, grief support, and the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
• Safety: elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation reporting through the Florida Abuse Hotline, 1-800-962-2873
• Veterans: VA benefits navigation, including the Aid and Attendance pension that can pay toward in-home care

For senior-specific programs: the Elder Helpline

211 covers everyone. For programs built specifically for people over 60, the other number to know is the Elder Helpline at 866-413-5337, run by the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida. This is the intake point for Florida’s Medicaid long-term care waiver screening, SHINE Medicare counseling, home and community-based care programs, and caregiver support in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, Glades, DeSoto, and Sarasota Counties. If your question is “how do we get help paying for care at home,” call 211 first for the full picture, then the Elder Helpline for the aging-specific programs.

What 211 cannot do

211 is an information and referral line, not a service provider. Knowing its limits saves families a frustrating week:

• It does not send anyone to the home. It gives you the number of an agency that might.
• It does not decide eligibility or enroll you in programs. The program itself does that, and many have waiting lists. The Medicaid long-term care waiver in particular often has a wait measured in months, with priority based on need.
• It is not for emergencies. Call 911 for a medical emergency and 988 for a mental health crisis.
• It cannot arrange care for tonight. If someone is being discharged tomorrow or a family caregiver just hit a wall, 211 can point you to options, but the fastest route to a caregiver in the home is usually private.

Local nurse, local resources: where a private caregiver fits

Most of the families who call us have already called 211 or the Elder Helpline. They got good referrals, and then they hit the gap: the waiver waitlist, an income just over the limit, a program that covers three hours a week when the need is thirty, or a discharge date that will not wait for an application to process. That gap is where a private caregiver comes in.

Abby Services is a nurse-owned, state-licensed nurse registry in Fort Myers. Since 1997 we have matched Southwest Florida families with screened, credentialed private caregivers who are independently employed and directed by the family. Because there is no program to qualify for, care can usually start within days. Families pay privately, and some use long-term care insurance or VA Aid and Attendance to help. If a Medicaid waiver slot comes through later, a private caregiver can bridge the wait or supplement the hours the program covers. Our guide to the cost of in-home care in Fort Myers lays out what to expect.

If you are not sure which way to go, call our office at 239-590-0861. Our RN can help you sort out which public programs are worth applying for and what a private caregiver would cost in the meantime. If a public program is the right answer for your family, we will tell you so and point you back to 211. And when you call 211, the Elder Helpline, or any agency they refer you to, let them know Abby Services referred you.

Frequently asked questions

What is Lee County 211?

211 is a free, confidential, 24/7 helpline run by United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades. Trained specialists connect callers with local health and human services such as food, housing and utility assistance, transportation, Medicaid and long-term care programs, caregiver support, and mental health resources. It is for non-emergency needs.

How do I call 211 in Fort Myers or Cape Coral?

Dial 2-1-1 from any local phone. If that does not connect, or you are calling from a cell phone or from outside Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties, call 239-433-3900. You can also search the directory online at unitedwaylee.communityos.org.

Does 211 help seniors pay for in-home care?

211 can point you to programs that may help, mainly Florida’s Medicaid long-term care waiver (screened through the Elder Helpline at 866-413-5337) and VA benefits for veterans. It does not fund care itself, and waiver programs often have waiting lists. Families who need care sooner usually pay privately, sometimes with long-term care insurance or VA Aid and Attendance.

What is the difference between 211 and the Elder Helpline?

211 covers all human services for everyone in Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties. The Elder Helpline (866-413-5337), run by the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida, handles programs specifically for adults 60 and older, including Medicaid long-term care waiver screening and SHINE Medicare counseling. For a senior’s care needs, it is worth calling both.

Can I call 211 for someone else?

Yes. Family members, neighbors, and caregivers call 211 on behalf of others every day. Have the person’s address, a general description of their situation, and any income or insurance details you know so the specialist can match programs accurately.

Sources

• United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades — 211 Helpline
• Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida — Elder Helpline

The VA Aid and Attendance pension can help eligible wartime veterans and their surviving spouses pay for in-home care. It is an increased monthly pension amount, paid on top of a basic VA pension, for those who need help with everyday activities like bathing, dressing, and managing medications. For families in Fort Myers and Cape Coral, it can be one way to afford a private in-home caregiver so a loved one can stay safely at home.

Abby Services is a state licensed nurse registry that refers experienced, screened in-home caregivers throughout Southwest Florida. We are not a VA representative and we do not file or manage benefit claims. What we can do is help your family find a caregiver, and point you toward the right people to handle the benefit itself: the VA, and a VA-accredited benefits officer who can guide the claim.

Who Manages an Aid and Attendance Claim

An Aid and Attendance claim is best handled by three people working together:

• The veteran or surviving spouse, whose service and care needs determine eligibility.
• The family, who often help gather documents, coordinate care, and manage day-to-day decisions.
• A VA-accredited benefits officer — an accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO), attorney, or claims agent — who is authorized to help prepare and file the claim.

This last point matters. Only a VA-accredited representative may legally assist with preparing, presenting, and prosecuting a VA claim. Veterans Service Officers through organizations like the county Veterans Services office, the VFW, DAV, or American Legion provide this help free of charge. Working with an accredited officer helps make sure the claim is complete, accurate, and filed correctly the first time.

General Aid and Attendance Eligibility Guidelines

Every claim is ultimately decided by the VA, and eligibility isn’t always simple. These are general guidelines to help you decide whether it’s worth applying, not a determination of eligibility:

• Service: The veteran generally served at least 90 consecutive days of active duty, with at least one full day during a recognized wartime period. Service in a combat zone is not required.
• Pension eligibility: The veteran must qualify for the basic VA Veterans Pension.
• Clinical need: There must be a documented need for help with activities of daily living — bathing, dressing, eating, managing medications, or similar — or another qualifying condition.
• Financial limits: Income and net worth must fall within VA limits, which are adjusted periodically.
• Surviving spouses: The widowed spouse of an eligible veteran may also qualify if they meet the clinical and financial requirements and have not remarried.

Aid and Attendance rates for December 2025 through November 2026

The VA sets a Maximum Annual Pension Rate (MAPR) for each household situation. These are the figures in effect from December 1, 2025, through November 30, 2026. They are maximums: the VA subtracts countable income, and unreimbursed medical and care expenses (including what you pay a private caregiver) can reduce countable income, which is why many families who seem “over income” still qualify.

• Net worth limit: $163,699, counting assets plus annual income. The primary home and vehicle are generally not counted.
• Asset transfers: the VA reviews assets given away or sold for less than fair value in the three years before applying, and can impose a penalty period.
• Housebound benefit: a lower rate for those who are substantially confined to the home but do not need help with daily activities.

Figures change every December 1 with the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment. The official tables are at VA Veterans Pension rates and VA Survivors Pension rates, and a VA-accredited benefits officer can tell you what your household would actually receive.

How the Benefit Helps Pay for In-Home Care

Aid and Attendance is paid as a monthly cash addition to the veteran’s or surviving spouse’s pension. Because it comes to the beneficiary rather than to a facility, the family decides how to use it — and in-home care is one of the most flexible options. Many families use the benefit to help offset the cost of a private in-home caregiver, allowing a loved one to remain independent at home rather than move to a facility.

The caregivers Abby Services refers can assist with exactly the kinds of daily activities the benefit is meant to support: bathing, dressing, and personal care, mobility, meal preparation, medication reminders, light housekeeping, companionship, and more, from a few hours a week to live-in and 24-hour care. At the veteran-alone maximum of about $2,424 a month, the benefit can cover a meaningful share of regular part-time care; our guide to the cost of in-home care in Fort Myers shows how the numbers compare. You choose the caregiver and direct the schedule; we help with the referral and the administrative side.

Claims often take months to process, and the VA generally pays back to the date the claim was filed. Many families start care privately while the claim is pending. If you are also exploring Medicaid long-term care or other local help, our guide to Lee County 211 and the Elder Helpline explains where to start. Abby Services is a Florida nurse registry, which means the caregivers we refer are independently employed and directed by you, so you control how the benefit is put to work.

How to Get Started in Fort Myers and Cape Coral

If you think you or your loved one may qualify, here’s a practical order of operations:

• Contact a VA-accredited benefits officer to start the Aid and Attendance claim. The Lee County Veteran Services office provides accredited help at no cost, as do accredited VSOs at the VFW, DAV, and American Legion.
• Gather documentation — the veteran’s discharge papers (DD-214), medical records showing the need for assistance, and financial information.
• Line up care. You don’t have to wait for benefit approval to arrange a caregiver. Abby Services can help your family find an in-home caregiver now, and the benefit can help with the cost once approved.

Abby Services is proud to help the veterans of Southwest Florida remain safe and independent at home. We refer trusted, screened in-home caregivers throughout Lee, Collier, and Charlotte Counties, and we’ve been serving local families since 1997.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs: Aid and Attendance and Housebound benefits
• Lee County Veteran Services

If getting to a doctor’s office has become the hard part, you have two kinds of options in Lee County: house-call practices that come to you, and concierge practices that give you a closer relationship with one physician, faster access, and longer visits, usually for an annual fee. This guide lists the local practices in each group, explains what Medicare will and won’t pay for, and shows how a private in-home caregiver fits alongside a private physician.

Abby Services is a nurse-owned, state-licensed nurse registry in Fort Myers. We are not affiliated with any practice listed here and do not coordinate medical care. We share these as community resources because families ask us about them every week. Please confirm current services, coverage area, and fees directly with each practice, and let them know Abby Services referred you.

What is a mobile physician or house-call doctor?

A mobile physician, house-call doctor, or home-based primary care provider is a physician or nurse practitioner who sees patients in their own homes instead of an office. In Florida, most house-call programs focus on people who are homebound or have limited mobility: someone who uses a walker or wheelchair, cannot drive for health reasons, has a memory disorder, is bedridden, or was recently discharged from the hospital. The visit itself looks like a normal primary-care appointment (exam, medication review, orders for labs or home health), just at your kitchen table.

A concierge physician is different. Concierge, or “direct,” practices limit how many patients they take so each patient gets same-day or next-day appointments, unhurried visits, and a direct line to the doctor. Some make house calls when needed; most expect you to come to the office. You pay a membership fee for the access, and the practice may or may not also bill Medicare.

House-call and home-based primary care in Fort Myers and Cape Coral

These are the practices we could confirm actually come to the home.

Lee Health House Calls (Home-bound Senior Care)

Lee Health’s House Calls program, run through Lee Physician Group, brings primary care into the home for homebound and limited-mobility patients throughout Lee County. Care is provided by advanced registered nurse practitioners. The program accepts most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, and was accepting new patients at the time of writing. This is the first call for most families we talk with, because it bills Medicare like any other visit.

• Phone: 239-343-8250
• Office: 12600 Creekside Lane, Suite 6, Fort Myers, FL 33919
• Website: leehealth.org – Homebound Senior Care

Private Physicians of Southwest Florida

A concierge practice founded in 1997 by Gary M. Price, MD, the first practice of its kind in Florida. Membership covers care wherever you need it (office, hospital, or home), and the practice describes itself as “even making house calls when needed.” Offices in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Sanibel, and Clewiston. Because this is a membership model, ask how Medicare billing works before you join.

• Phone: 239-415-1111
• Fort Myers office: 9722 Commerce Center Court, Fort Myers, FL 33908
• Website: privatephysiciansofswfl.com

Does Medicare cover house calls?

Yes, with conditions. Original Medicare Part B covers a physician or nurse practitioner home visit the same way it covers an office visit, as long as the visit is medically necessary and the provider participates in Medicare. You do not have to be certified “homebound” for a house call the way you do for Medicare home health services; the provider simply has to document why a home visit was appropriate. Lee Health House Calls works this way.

What Medicare never covers is a membership or retainer fee. A concierge practice that still bills Medicare will charge you the annual fee on top of your normal Medicare cost-sharing. A practice that has opted out of Medicare cannot bill Medicare for anything its physicians do, so you pay the full cost of every visit yourself, though Medicare still covers labs, imaging, specialists, and hospital care the practice orders elsewhere. Ask every practice one question before joining: “Do you bill Medicare, or have you opted out?”

Concierge and private-physician practices in Fort Myers

These practices offer a closer doctor relationship and faster access. They are office-based unless noted, so they suit people who can still get to an appointment but want more time and attention when they get there. Fees change; confirm current pricing with the practice.

MDVIP-affiliated practices

MDVIP is a national concierge network. Affiliated doctors keep a small panel, include an annual comprehensive wellness exam, and continue to bill Medicare and insurance for visits, so the membership fee is the only thing you pay out of pocket beyond your normal coverage. MDVIP fees are typically in the range of $1,800 to $2,200 per year; each practice sets its own. Three MDVIP physicians practice in Fort Myers:

• Britto Chinnappan, MD (internal medicine): 9671 Gladiolus Drive, Suite 107, Fort Myers. 239-418-1118
• Sherry Farag, MD (family medicine): 15750 New Hampshire Court, Unit D, Fort Myers. 239-395-2434
• Shannon Greer, DO (family medicine): 12631 World Plaza Lane, Building 54, Fort Myers. 239-267-3377

Directory: mdvip.com – Fort Myers physicians

Daniel Bendetowicz, MD

An independent concierge internist in Fort Myers using a hybrid model: the practice bills insurance for covered services, and the membership fee covers what insurance does not. Offers a standard membership, a premium tier, and a six-month “snowbird” plan for seasonal residents, which is rare locally and worth knowing about if you winter here.

• Phone: 239-985-1050
• Website: drdanielbendetowicz.com

IMLWP (Internal Medicine, Lipid & Wellness Practice)

A membership-based internal medicine practice in south Fort Myers whose physicians stay involved across settings, including advocating for patients during stays at Lee County hospitals. Two things to know before calling: IMLWP has opted out of Medicare, so Medicare cannot be billed for anything its physicians do, and patients 65 and older are required to join the Premier tier, published at $5,280 per year plus a one-time $150 fee. Younger patients have a lower Core tier. This is a good fit for families who want one doctor closely involved at every step and are prepared to pay for it directly.

• Phone: 239-362-3005
• Office: 6160 Winkler Road, Fort Myers, FL 33919
• Website: imlwp.com

Private Physicians of Southwest Florida

Listed above under house calls; it is also the longest-running concierge practice in the area. 239-415-1111.

How to choose

Three questions sort most families out quickly:

• Can you get to an office? If not, start with Lee Health House Calls or ask Private Physicians about home visits. A concierge office practice does not solve a transportation problem.
• Does Medicare billing matter to you? If yes, choose a practice that participates (Lee Health, MDVIP, Bendetowicz) and budget for the membership fee. If you are comfortable paying directly, an opted-out practice like IMLWP is an option.
• Do you want one doctor across office, hospital, and home? That continuity is the main thing concierge and private-physician practices sell. If a loved one is in and out of the hospital, it can be worth the fee.

Local nurse, local physician: pairing a private caregiver with a private doctor

A private physician handles the medical side. A private caregiver handles everything around it, which is most of the day: bathing, meals, medication reminders, getting to the appointment, and the eyes in the home between visits. Families who use a house-call or concierge doctor tend to get the most out of it when there is a dependable caregiver at home who can tell the doctor what has actually been happening, follow the plan the doctor sets, and call when something changes.

That is where a local nurse registry fits. Abby Services has been matching Southwest Florida families with screened, credentialed private caregivers since 1997, and our office is run by a Fort Myers RN. The caregivers we refer are independently employed and directed by you, so the arrangement stays as flexible as the medical care: a few hours a week for appointments and errands, or daily support for someone who is truly homebound. Tell the practice you are working with a private caregiver, and tell us who your physician is; both sides do better work when they know the other is there.

Caregivers referred through Abby Services can help with:

• Bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene
• Meal preparation and light housekeeping
• Medication reminders
• Mobility, transfers, and monitoring for safety
• Getting to and from appointments, and sitting in on them if you want a second set of ears
• Reporting changes to family and, with your permission, to the physician’s office

Every situation is different. Tell us what kind of help you are looking for and who your doctor is, and our office will work to match you with caregivers whose experience and availability fit. If a caregiver is not the right fit, you are always free to request another. And when you call one of the practices above, let them know Abby Services referred you.

Not sure if in-home care is right? Ask your doctor.

Your physician, whether office-based or visiting, can help you decide whether in-home support makes sense. It is often the right move when someone has trouble with one or more activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing, or moving safely around the home. If you have questions, call Abby Services at 239-590-0861 or tell us what you need online.

Frequently asked questions

What is a mobile physician?

A mobile physician, also called a house-call doctor or home-based primary care provider, is a physician or nurse practitioner who sees patients in their homes rather than an office. Visits cover the same ground as a regular primary-care appointment. In Lee County, the main program is Lee Health House Calls.

Who qualifies for a house-call doctor?

Most house-call programs serve people who are homebound or have limited mobility: those who use a walker or wheelchair, cannot drive for health reasons, have a memory disorder, are bedridden, or were recently discharged from the hospital. Each practice sets its own criteria, so call and describe your situation.

Does Medicare cover house calls in Florida?

Medicare Part B covers medically necessary home visits from a participating physician or nurse practitioner, billed like an office visit. Medicare never covers concierge membership or retainer fees, and a practice that has opted out of Medicare cannot bill Medicare for any of its own services.

What does concierge medicine cost in Fort Myers?

Published local fees range from roughly $1,100 per year for younger patients at IMLWP to $5,280 per year for its 65-and-older tier. MDVIP practices typically charge in the range of $1,800 to $2,200 per year and continue to bill Medicare for visits. Always confirm current fees with the practice.

Can a private caregiver work with my house-call or concierge doctor?

Yes. A private caregiver referred through Abby Services can help you get to appointments, be present for home visits, follow the care plan the doctor sets, and report changes to family and, with your permission, to the practice. Tell both sides about each other so they can coordinate.

Do you need Veteran in home care now? Abby Services of Fort Myers and Cape Coral can help.

Yes, many families seek veteran in home care. However much of the information available is confusing and unclear. That is why we are excited for the following announcement about veteran in home care.

Abby Services has partnered with Vet Assist to help families manage veteran in home care.

Through a partnership with the VetAssist Program, Abby Services is excited to offer our fantastic In-Home Caregiver Services to veterans participating in the Aide and Attendance Program throughout Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Lee County.

The VetAssist Program will:

• Help you determine if you qualify for the VA Aid & Attendance Pension Benefit.
• Assist you to identify and obtain documents needed for the application.
• Help you complete and submit the application to the VA.
• Provide your home care right away.
• Furnish an interest-free loan so you can pay for your home care while the VA processes your application.
• Monitor your application’s progress and assist with responses to VA requests for additional information until your pension is approved.

Even after you receive your pension, the VetAssist^® Program keeps working for you to help manage veteran in home care.

• Monitor your home care, to assure that you get the services you need, on a schedule that works for you.
• Keep track of your medical expenses and help you stay in compliance with the VA, so you retain the maximum allowable pension amount.
• Assist you to file any additional paperwork with the VA.
• They’re always a phone call away if you have questions or concerns.

Getting the veteran in home care you need

Veterans Home Care can provide you with assistance including:

• Help with bathing
• Help with dressing
• Medication reminders
• Transportation
• Meal preparation
• Transferring to and from bed
• Personal care
• Respite care
• Light housekeeping
• Laundry
• Companionship
• Additional services – including help to access other community resources to improve your quality of life.

About the Veterans Aid & Attendance Pension benefit that helps pay for veteran in home care

In 1952 Congress passed Title 38 of the United States Code, creating what we now call the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and authorizing benefits for veterans. One of these benefits is the Non-Service Connected Pension, with “Aid & Attendance.” (Veterans Aid & Attendance Pension benefit.)

Even though the pension has been around for 60 years, very few people know about it or understand how it works. Veterans Home Care has 14 years’ experience successfully helping veteran families apply for and receive the pension. Let us help you, too.

Eligibility

Do You Have the “3-Ms”?

• Military: Are you a veteran or the surviving spouse of a veteran who served at least 90 days on active duty, at least one day during wartime*, with an honorable discharge?  (Persian Gulf War veterans must have two years of active duty.)
• Medical: Do you have a non-service-connected medical condition causing you to need assistance with activities of daily living?
• Money: Do you have limited income and assets? (Your home and car are exempt.)

Did you serve during one of the *VA Defined War Periods

• World War II: Dec 7, 1941-Dec. 31, 1946
• Korean Conflict: June 27, 1950-Jan. 31, 1955
• Vietnam Era: Aug. 5, 1964-May 7, 1975 For veterans who served Feb. 28, 1961-Aug 5, 1964, must have served “in the country” (Vietnam).
• Persian Gulf War: Aug 2, 1990- date to be prescribed by Presidential proclamation or law. Must have served active duty for 2 years.

Click here for an online referral form.

Making sure an older loved one eats well is one of the most common worries families in Fort Myers and Cape Coral bring to us. Good nutrition keeps seniors stronger, steadier on their feet, and more independent, but shopping and cooking get harder with age. The good news is there are several kinds of help, and they work well together: Lee County’s Meals on Wheels program, private meal-delivery services, and in-home caregivers who shop, cook, and make sure meals actually get eaten. Here’s how each one works.

Lee County Meals on Wheels

Lee County Meals on Wheels, run locally by Community Cooperative (CCMI), delivers nutritious home-delivered meals along with a friendly, safety, and security check to eligible homebound neighbors who can’t shop or cook for themselves. Recipients include seniors as well as disabled or chronically ill adults, and meals may be short-term, while recovering from an illness or surgery, or long-term, to help someone remain safe and independent at home. The program supports over a thousand elderly and homebound residents in the greater Fort Myers area.

Meals on Wheels brings more than food. Volunteers provide daily companionship and a wellness check, and the program has added services over the years, including food and care products for recipients’ pets, and a home-safety and fall-prevention initiative developed through a partnership with the Home Depot Foundation. For many families, that daily friendly visit is as valuable as the meal itself.

Because eligibility rules, application steps, and contact information can change, the best place to confirm current details or apply is Community Cooperative directly. You can find the Lee County Meals on Wheels program and its application through Community Cooperative or the national Meals on Wheels America locator.

How to contact or apply for Lee County Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels in Lee County is run by Community Cooperative in Fort Myers. To ask about eligibility, request meals for a loved one, or apply:

• Meals on Wheels line: 239-337-1055 (main office 239-332-7687)
• Email: [email protected]
• Apply online or by mail: communitycooperative.com/what-we-do/meals-on-wheels has the online application and a printable form (mail to Community Cooperative, Attn: Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 2143, Fort Myers, FL 33902)
• Office: 3429 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33916

Family members, physicians, discharge planners, and caregivers can all start the referral. If you are calling for a parent, have their address, a rough picture of their health and mobility, and any dietary restrictions ready. Monthly menus are posted on the program page in English and Spanish. When you call, let them know Abby Services sent you.

Private Senior Meal-Delivery Services

Meals on Wheels is a wonderful program, but not everyone qualifies, and some families want more choice over menus, dietary needs, or delivery frequency. A range of private meal-delivery services can fill that gap, from national prepared-meal companies that ship frozen, senior-friendly meals, to local restaurants and grocery delivery. Options worth considering include:

• Prepared senior-meal services that deliver ready-to-heat meals designed for older adults, often with heart-healthy, diabetic-friendly, or low-sodium menus.
• Grocery delivery for families or caregivers who prefer to cook fresh but want to skip the trip to the store.
• Restaurant delivery for variety and occasional treats, keeping in mind these aren’t tailored to dietary needs.

When choosing a service, look at dietary options, portion sizes, ease of heating, and whether the packaging is easy for older hands to open. The best choice depends on the person’s health needs, budget, and how much they can do for themselves.

How an In-Home Caregiver Helps With Meals

Delivered meals solve the food-supply problem, but they don’t solve everything. Many seniors have plenty of food in the house and still don’t eat well, because opening, heating, and sitting down to a meal has become difficult, or because eating alone is lonely. This is where an in-home caregiver makes a real difference.

A caregiver referred through Abby Services may assist with the whole picture around mealtime: planning meals, grocery shopping, preparing fresh food to the person’s tastes and dietary needs, and providing the company that makes a meal something to look forward to. A caregiver can also notice the early warning signs families miss, such as unexplained weight loss, spoiled food in the refrigerator, or skipped meals, which often signal that more support is needed.

Meal preparation pairs naturally with the other daily help a caregiver provides, such as light housekeeping, medication reminders, and companionship, so a few hours of caregiver support can cover far more than food alone.

Putting It Together

These options aren’t either-or. Many Southwest Florida families combine them: Meals on Wheels or a delivery service for some meals, and an in-home caregiver for shopping, fresh cooking, and companionship the rest of the time. If you’d like help thinking through what fits your loved one’s needs, Abby Services has been helping Lee County families find caregivers since 1997.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• Community Cooperative (CCMI) — Lee County Meals on Wheels
• Meals on Wheels America — Find Meals and Services

Long-Term Care Insurance can be challenging to navigate.

Abby Services helps seniors navigate confusing long-term care insurance policies to be sure they get all of the in-home care benefits they are entitled to.

Abby Services has helped Fort Myers and Cape Coral seniors navigate confusing long-term care insurance policies since 1997!

With many clients we see, their long-term care insurance policies were purchased years ago. Clients may not remember clearly what policy details are or may incorrectly remember information about their long-term care insurance policy.

It’s no wonder clients can be unclear about coverage benefits or requirements to access their policy. Often the language in long-term care insurance policies can be challenging and confusing to understand.

That is why when a client has a question about their long-term care insurance policy, or benefits, they should schedule a complimentary appointment with one of our owners and  RN Scott Strachan.

Although these meetings can take about an hour, it is important to thoroughly review a long-term care policy, and fully explain its benefits and how they are accessed.

Understanding your long-term care insurance policy.

It is important to understand what you are entitled to under your Long Term Care Policy. More important than understanding your Long Term Care Benefits is how to actually access those benefits.

Even when you are armed with accurate information, and thoroughly understand your policy, some insurers have been known to act inappropriately. Here is an article I found with a quick google search:

Florida nurse registry claims insurer improperly denying benefits on long-term care policies

USA February 4, 2011

A class-action lawsuit filed by a Florida nurse registry claims that Transamerica Life Insurance Company’s (Transamerica) long-term care insurance policies improperly deny coverage by requiring a level of certification for home health aides that exceeds state requirements and that Florida law does not allow Transamerica to deny coverage meeting those state requirements.

According to a complaint filed in the District Court for the Southern District of Florida on January 21, 2011, American Nursing Resources Inc. (American Nursing) arranges home health care services for clients, regularly receives insurance-benefit assignments from its clients, and bills insurance companies directly for its services.

American Nursing alleges that its home health aides have provided services to Howard Boteler since October 31, 2009. Mr. Boteler assigned American Nursing his benefits under a long-term care policy issued by a predecessor of Transamerica. American Nursing alleges that when it attempted to collect benefits under the policy,

Transamerica denied its claim on the basis that the services were not provided by a “Home Health Aide” as defined in the policy. According to the complaint, the policy provided for reimbursement for the services of a “Home Health Aide” if the aide was: (1) eligible for reimbursement under Medicare; (2) employed by a state-licensed or accredited home health care agency; or (3) employed by a provider of home health care services accredited by the National League of Nursing, American Public Health Association, or the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals.

American Nursing alleges that, by its definition of “Home Health Aide,” Transamerica effectively requires a nurse registry such as American Nursing to either: arrange for the provision of basic services by nurses or other individuals with a level of certification greater than that of a home health aide; become eligible for reimbursement under Medicare; or be licensed as a “Home Health Care Agency.”

American Nursing alleges that this violates Florida statutes governing long-term care insurance, which provide that a long-term care policy cannot: require services to be performed by an individual with a higher level of certification than the services require; require services to be provided by a licensed home health agency when they can be provided by a nurse registry, or require that services be required by Medicare-certified agencies or providers. See FLA. STAT. ANN. § 627.94071.

The complaint alleges that “Defendant cannot define ‘Home Health Aide’ and implement its policy in a manner which violates Florida law by excluding or discriminating against nurse registries as covered home health service providers for basic services. … To do so, violates the Florida Statutes and Rules which by law are incorporated into Defendant’s Policy and give rise to an action for breach of the Policy.”

American Nursing seeks, for itself and on behalf of similarly situated providers, damages for breach of contract and an injunction preventing further denial of benefits on these grounds.

American Nursing has defined the class narrowly to include only Florida licensed nurse registries which, from January 1, 2006, through January 21, 2011, were assignees under a Transamerica long-term care policy and had a claim for benefits for home health-care services provided in Florida denied on the basis that the services were not provided by a “Home Health Aide” under the policy.

The class is also defined to include any Florida-licensed nurse registries currently named as assignees under such a policy. The case is American Nursing Resources, Inc., v. Transamerica Life Insurance Company, No. 0:11-cv-60146 (S.D. Fla.)

Are issues with long-term care insurance common?

Unexpected issues with long-term care insurance are more common than many think.

The situation described in the article above has occurred with a State Farm Long Term Care Insurance Policy a client of Abby Services has. As long-term care insurance experts, we are helping them to work through the insurer’s confusion and hopefully, State Farm will do the right thing.

What do you mean “hopefully the long term care insurance provider will do the right thing”?

Doing the “right thing” would be allowing a claimant to easily and appropriately access the long-term care insurance policy they have paid for as required by law. The specific law the article references is listed below.

Florida Statute 627.94071 which covers life insurance for seniors contracts and rates:

627.94071 Minimum standards for home health care benefits.—A long-term care insurance policy, certificate, or rider that contains a home health care benefit must meet or exceed the minimum standards specified in this section. The policy, certificate, or rider may not exclude benefits by any of the following means:

(1) Providing that home health care cannot be covered unless the insured or claimant would, without the home health care, require skilled care in a skilled nursing facility.(2) Requiring that the insured or claimant first or simultaneously receive nursing or therapeutic services in a home setting or community setting before home health care services are covered.(3) Limiting eligible services to services provided by registered nurses or licensed practical nurses.(4) Requiring that a nurse or therapist provide services covered by the policy that can be provided by a home health aide or by another licensed or certified home care worker acting within the scope of his or her license or certification.(5) Requiring that a licensed home health agency provide services covered by the policy that can be provided by a nurse registry licensed under chapter 400.(6) Excluding coverage for personal care services provided by a home health aide.(7) Requiring that the provision of home health care services be at a level of certification of licensure greater than that required by the eligible service.(8) Requiring that the insured/claimant have an acute condition before home health care services are covered.(9) Limiting benefits to services provided by Medicare-certified agencies or providers.(10) Excluding coverage for adult day care services.

Do you have a long-term care insurance complaint?

If you are confused about your policy or believe you are being inappropriately denied long-term care insurance benefits you are entitled to you should review the Florida Department of Financial Services website. They are the entity best suited to help resolve most long-term care insurance issues. Sometimes, despite attempts to educate insurance providers on regulations in our state, (regulations that they should already be familiar with) you need an attorney familiar with specific state laws, to help fight for the benefits you are entitled to. Below is an attorney you may want to consider. Stephen DunnPhone: (410) 321-8368Email: [email protected]: https://www.sdunnlawoffices.com/