ALF FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q1. What is an Assisted Living Facility (ALF)?
A. Assisted living facilities (ALFs) provide housing, meals, personal care services and supportive services to older persons and disabled adults who are unable to live independently.
Q2. How do I get clients into the ALF?
A. Once your facility is licensed through AHCA, you can advertise in newspaper, senior citizens newsletters, club bulletins, apartment clubhouses local agency, Department of Elder Affairs, Ombudsman Council, Area Agency on Aging, Hospitals, through the diversion program, and any public location.
Q3. How soon can I advertise for residents?
A. Once AHCA issues a license to operate, you may advertise. It is illegal to advertise without being licensed by AHCA.
Q4. How long does it take to get residents?
A. It varies. It depends on how you advertise.
Q5. What is the start up cost to operate an ALF?
A. The cost varies depending on facility licensure type, number of beds, staffing, and owner/operator’s choice. AHCA requires financial proof as part of the application process and a projected income and expense, assets and liability. Our facility is affiliated with an accountant to provide help with this service.
Q6. How much does it cost to operate a 6-bed ALF?
A. The cost varies. Keep in mind that you will be responsible for paying your mortgage/rent, utilities, staffing, emergency supplies, food, facility maintenance and any other miscellaneous costs.
Reminder that you can operate any size of a facility in Florida. You must meet all the county requirement where the facility is located at, such as zoning, fire, health/sanitation, etc.
Q7. How long does it take to be licensed as an ALF?
A. The process can take up to 6 months if all required paperwork are in place including all inspections without any deficiencies.
Q8. How long does it take AHCA to do the initial survey of the facility once all they received the application package?
A. Approximately 6 to 10 weeks, once all required documents and background check reviewed by AHCA.
Q9. What kind of training do I need?
A. A 26 hour mandated ALF Core training and passing a State competency exam.
Q10. Do I have to be a nurse or have any medical background to operate an ALF?
A. No, as long as you have met all the training requirements.
Q11. Do I have to have a licensed nurse on staff?
A. It depends on the type of services you will provide for a standard license. An ALF with a specialty license of Limited Nursing (LNS) or Extended Congrgate Care (ECC) will required to either have a nurse on staff or contract with a Registered Nurse.
Q12. What type of residents can I accept to the facility?
A. Anyone that meets the ALF admission criteria. The training will cover all of the types of resident that can be admitted in an ALF such as an elderly person, a disabled adult, mental health, dementia or alzheimers, etc.
Q13. How do I get paid from the residents?
A. Private pay, long term insurance, Medicaid if you are a Medicaid provider, Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program, ACS (Assistive care Services), APD Medicaid Waiver, etc.
Q14. How much should I charge the residents?
A. Price varies according to ALF services provided and type of licensure.
Q15. What is an Adult Family Care Homes (AFCH)?
A. Adult Family Care Homes (AFCH) are private residences that provide housing, meals and personal care services to older persons and disabled adults who are unable to live independently (no more than 5 residents). The provider must live in the home. There is a mandatory 12 hour Provider basic training. Feden Healthcare provides the training.
Q16. Where do I get the 26 hours mandatory course?
A. FEDEN Healthcare Education Institute provides the 26 hour ALF Administrator course. Our instructor is an approved trainer by the state. Check our schedule for the next training date.
Only approved trainer are recognized to provide the Core training. Visit the AHCA website for verification. As of 2015, the new curriculum is pending for the 40 hours training.
Q17. Any additional information required to operate an ALF?
A. As of September 2017, generators are required to be installed. Visit AHCA website for more details.
Q18. What other paperwork are required to operate an ALF?
A. Other paperwork are required such as policies and procedures, emergency plan, etc. The training covers the required documentation.
Our certified trainer and consultant will be able to help with those services.
See a complete list of consulting services by clicking on the link.
For all other questions, please visit AHCA website or ask our trainer during the ALF Core Administrator training.
rev12/2017