Statutory state and federal regional governance network overseeing all Florida Medicaid Long-Term Care (SMMC LTC) Waiver applications, mandatory nursing home Level-of-Care (LOC) medical determinations, SHINE Medicare counseling, and facility resident rights advocacy for Gulf County (Port St. Joe 32456 and Wewahitchka 32465): (1) Advantage Aging Solutions (Area Agency on Aging for North Florida, Inc., active Florida 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, Florida Sunbiz Document #743340 [also cross-referenced in legacy state filings under #747625], FEI/EIN 59-1844633, 2414 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32308; Toll-Free Elder Helpline 1-866-467-4624 / 1-800-963-5337, Admin (850) 488-0055), serving as the designated Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) for DOEA Planning and Service Area 2 under F.S. Chapter 430 and managing 701S/701B prioritization for the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care (SMMC LTC) Waiver across AHCA Region 2's three contracted Managed Care Organizations: Sunshine Health (1-866-796-0530), Humana Medical Plan (1-800-477-6931), and Simply Healthcare Plans (1-844-405-4296); (2) Florida Department of Elder Affairs — CARES (Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services) Area 2A Field Office at the Forest Park Office Center, 278 Forest Park Circle, Panama City, FL 32405 ((850) 747-5840, Regional Office (850) 414-9803, Email cares02a_general@elderaffairs.org), whose registered nurses and clinical assessors conduct mandatory pre-admission Level-of-Care (LOC) medical evaluations for Gulf County seniors entering Shores Nursing and Rehab Center (#1038096), Our Home at Beacon Hill (#AL10713), or regional corridor facilities; and (3) the Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program — Panhandle / Northwest Florida District Council (4040 Esplanade Way, Suite 380, Tallahassee, FL 32399 / 1101 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Bldg 3, Ste 5, Gulf Breeze, FL 32561; Panhandle District Direct (850) 921-4703, Northwest District (850) 916-6720, Statewide Toll-Free 1-888-831-0404 under F.S. §§ 400.0060–400.0091), investigating resident complaints and conducting unannounced inspections in all Gulf County and PSA 2 nursing homes and ALFs (acceptsMedicaid: true).
Official Verification Sources: Advantage Aging Solutions — Area Agency on Aging for North Florida (DOEA PSA 2 ADRC — Sunbiz #743340); Florida Department of Elder Affairs — CARES Area 2A Panama City Field Office (278 Forest Park Cir — (850) 747-5840); Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program — Panhandle District Council ((850) 921-4703 / 1-888-831-0404)
Issuer: Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA), Florida AHCA & U.S. Administration for Community Living
Notes: Verified 2026-10-26: (1) Advantage Aging Solutions / Area Agency on Aging for North Florida, Inc. (Sunbiz Doc# 743340 / legacy ref #747625, EIN 59-1844633, 2414 Mahan Dr, Tallahassee, FL 32308, 1-866-467-4624 / 1-800-963-5337) is the statutory PSA 2 ADRC administering SMMC LTC Medicaid Waiver intake for Gulf County across Region 2 MCOs Sunshine Health, Humana, and Simply Healthcare (acceptsMedicaid: true). (2) DOEA Florida CARES Area 2A Field Office (Forest Park Office Center, 278 Forest Park Cir, Panama City, FL 32405, (850) 747-5840 / (850) 414-9803) performs mandatory nursing home and waiver Level-of-Care certifications for Bay, Calhoun, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, and Washington counties. (3) Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program — Panhandle / Northwest District ((850) 921-4703 / (850) 916-6720 / 1-888-831-0404) protects residents of Shores Nursing and Rehab Center (#1038096) and Our Home at Beacon Hill (#AL10713).
Factual details and direct answers about Advantage Aging Solutions (DOEA PSA 2 ADRC), DOEA Florida CARES Area 2A (Panama City Field Office) & Panhandle / NWFL Long-Term Care Ombudsman — Gulf County Regulatory Network's services, licensing, and credentials.
How does a Gulf County family apply for the Florida Medicaid Long-Term Care Waiver, and which Medicaid plans operate in Gulf County (AHCA Region 2)?
To apply for the Florida Statewide Medicaid Managed Care Long-Term Care (SMMC LTC) Waiver in Port St. Joe (32456) or Wewahitchka (32465), call the Advantage Aging Solutions (PSA 2 ADRC) Elder Helpline at 1-866-467-4624 or 1-800-963-5337 (or contact the Gulf County Senior Citizens Association at 120 Library Drive in Port St. Joe at (850) 229-8466) for a 701S screening. Once prioritized from the waitlist, the DOEA CARES Area 2A field office at 278 Forest Park Circle in Panama City ((850) 747-5840) completes the clinical Level-of-Care medical evaluation, and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) determines financial eligibility. Approved Gulf County enrollees choose from AHCA Region 2's three SMMC LTC managed care plans: Sunshine Health (1-866-796-0530), Humana Medical Plan (1-800-477-6931), or Simply Healthcare Plans (1-844-405-4296) (acceptsMedicaid: true).
Who should a family call to report a quality-of-care concern or improper discharge notice at a nursing home or assisted living facility serving Gulf County?
Families and residents can contact the Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program — Panhandle District Council at (850) 921-4703 or the statewide toll-free hotline at 1-888-831-0404 (or email LTCOPInformer@elderaffairs.org). Certified ombudsmen conduct free, confidential, unannounced investigations inside Shores Nursing and Rehab Center (#1038096), Our Home at Beacon Hill (#AL10713), and all regional PSA 2 facilities.
Connect with complementary legal, financial, and residential providers serving seniors in Port St. Joe and Gulf County.
Novak Law Group, PLLC (Jeremy T.M. Novak, Esq. — Gulf County Attorney) & Rish & Gibson, P.A. (Thomas S. Gibson, Esq.) — Port St. Joe Probate, Estate Planning, Trust & Real Property Counsel
Port St. Joe, Gulf County
(850) 229-4700
Centennial Bank — Port St. Joe & Wewahitchka In-County Branches & Centennial Financial Services (Crowley Wealth / Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC)
Port St. Joe, Gulf County
(850) 227-2601
Port St. Joe USDA Section 515 & FHFC LIHTC Apartments — Pine Ridge Apartments, Liberty Manor Apartments, Gateway of St. Joe & Bridgeport (32456)
Port St. Joe, Gulf County
(850) 227-7451
Expert guidance, benefit eligibility rules, and state protections for older Florida residents and family caregivers.
Shores Nursing and Rehab Center (Formerly The Bridge at Bay St. Joe — #SNF1038096) & Our Home at Beacon Hill ALF (#AL10713) — Port St. Joe In-County Long-Term Care
Port St. Joe, Gulf County
Ascension Sacred Heart Gulf (AHCA Hospital #4502 — 24/7 Emergency Department, Medicare Swing-Bed Skilled Nursing & Outpatient Senior Rehab)
Port St. Joe, Gulf County
Gulf County Senior Citizens Association, Inc. — DOEA PSA 2 Lead Agency (CCE In-Home Personal Care, ADI Memory Care Respite, HCE & Silver Hearts Wewahitchka Outreach)
Port St. Joe, Gulf County
US-98 West / SR-22 West (Panama City, Callaway & Lynn Haven) Corridor — Clifford C. Sims State Veterans' Nursing Home (#SNF10960961 / CCN #106056), Garden View ALF (#AL5223), Summer's Landing (#AL6048), Mathison (#AL9945) & The Blake (#AL13589)
Port St. Joe, Gulf County
Disclaimer: This directory listing is for informational purposes only. Florida Senior Support does not endorse or guarantee the quality of services. Please verify information and services directly with the organization.