Sarasota Senior AdvisorWho regulates continuing care retirement communities in Florida?
The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) regulates CCRC providers under Chapter 651, Florida Statutes, and rule chapter 69O-193, issuing certificates of authority, approving contracts and reviewing finances, while AHCA licenses and inspects the assisted living and nursing care on each campus.
OIR's CCRC team is reachable at 850-413-3153; alleged violations of Chapter 651 can also be reported to the Department of Financial Services consumer helpline, 1-877-693-5236.
What is a certificate of authority for a CCRC?
A certificate of authority is OIR's permission for a provider to offer continuing care contracts in Florida; a new project first receives a provisional certificate of authority, which allows it to collect reservation deposits under escrow rules while it builds and sells units.
On OIR's October 2025 map, Emerson Lakes in Lakewood Ranch is listed with a provisional certificate (PCOA).
What does 'in runoff' mean for a Florida CCRC?
OIR's map marks some facilities as being in runoff, meaning the provider continues to serve its existing continuing care residents but is no longer entering new continuing care contracts.
On the October 2025 map, Lakehouse West in Sarasota carries that mark. A community in runoff may still rent apartments or care beds under other agreements; ask what kind of contract you would sign.
How does Florida protect CCRC residents financially?
Providers must maintain minimum liquid reserves calculated under s. 651.035, file annual, quarterly and, in some cases, monthly financial reports with OIR, and hold entrance fees and deposits in escrow under specified conditions.
Every certificated community must have an elected residents' council (s. 651.081), and the provider's governing body must hold quarterly meetings with residents to discuss income, expenses and financial trends, with a written summary of reasons whenever a monthly fee increase is discussed (s. 651.085). Ask for the latest annual report and reserve calculation.
Are the nursing homes inside Sarasota CCRCs rated by CMS?
Yes, when they are Medicare-certified: CMS flags certified nursing homes located inside a continuing care retirement community, and several in Sarasota and Manatee carry that flag with their own star ratings.
Our profile for each community lists the AHCA licenses at its address and, for nursing homes, CMS's ratings.
At a glance
| OIR oversees | AHCA oversees | |
|---|---|---|
| What | Contracts, reserves and provider finances | Care quality in licensed units |
| Tools | Certificates of authority and financial filings | Licenses, inspections and fines |
| Complaints | 850-413-3153 or DFS 1-877-693-5236 | 1-888-419-3456 |
Sources include Chapters 408, 429 and 651 of the Florida Statutes, Fla. Admin. Code chapters 59A-36 and 65A-2, AHCA, DCF, OIR and Elder Affairs pages, CareScout and VA rate tables as cited above; see our editorial standards.
