Home Care in Kansas

If you’re looking for help so you can continue living in your Kansas home as you age, you might need in-home care. This type of care assists with housekeeping and daily living tasks. If you need some help with minor medical care, such as wound management or diabetes care, you may need home health care services. Based on the 2021 Genworth Cost of Care Survey, the average cost for in-home care in Kansas is $4,576. If you need home health care, expect to pay about $100 more with an average of $4,671 a month.

The costs in Kansas are lower than the national averages of $4,957 and $5,148. Compared to surrounding states, Kansas has the lowest average cost for home care services. In Oklahoma, for instance, you’ll pay an average of $4,862 for both types of care, and in Missouri, the average is $4,767 for both home care types. Nebraska has a much higher average of $5,148 a month for in-home care and $5,339 a month for home health care, while Colorado is the highest at $6,387 a month for both care types.

While many seniors choose to age at home, you might find that a different care option works best for your needs. Home care costs an average of $4,576 in Kansas, with an average of $4,671 for home health care. Nursing home care is the most expensive option at $6,296, while assisted living care is fairly close to home care at $4,580 a month. The most affordable option is adult day care, which averages $1,788 a month.

Medicaid in Kansas, also known as KanCare, pays for in-home care indirectly through its Medicaid waiver programs. These programs include waivers under the Older Americans Act, which covers the Home and Community-Based Supportive Services program, and the Senior Care Act. Both of these programs provide in-home services to people ages 60 and older who may need additional care to live safely at home.

Older Americans Act

The Older Americans Act offers in-home care through the Home and Community-Based Services program. This program includes assistance with in-home services, including homemaker assistance, chores and personal care. In addition, services offered include nutrition programs, disease prevention, and respite care for family caregivers.

To qualify for this program, you must be approved for Medicaid and be age 60 and older. To find your local assistance program, call (855) 200-2372.

Senior Care Act

The Senior Care Act program assists older Kansas citizens facing limitations on their daily functions that limit independent living. Through this program, seniors can get in-home services that include homemaker care, chore services, attendant care or respite care. Funds can also go toward adult day care services. Seniors will pay on a sliding scale based on their income.

To qualify for SCA, you must meet the income eligibility threshold. You will then have a functional assessment to see if you meet the functional threshold for the program. To learn more, contact your local AAA or call (855) 200-2372.

To receive Medicaid funds in Kansas, you must meet the state’s financial eligibility standards. For regular Medicaid programs, the maximum allowable income is $5,700 a year for both single and married applicants. Though this is quite low, the state allows a separate pathway to Medicaid for those who receive Supplemental Security Income payments. These seniors automatically qualify for Medicaid, with an income limit for $10,092 a year for single applicants and $15,132 for married applicants. In addition, you can’t have more than $2,000 in assets if you are a single applicant or $3,000 in assets if you’re married.

You can apply for KanCare online through the self-service portal website. If you prefer to apply via a paper application, you can download it online and mail it to:

KanCare Clearinghouse
P.O. Box 3599
Topeka, KS 66601

You can also fax the application to (844) 264-6285.

What Information You Will Need

Before filling out your Medicaid application, you need proof of your financial situation and your identity. Be prepared with the following:

• Citizenship records or Social Security card
• Photo ID
• Proof of address
• Bank statements
• Copies of insurance policies
• Information on investments
• Pay stubs

How to Get Help Applying for Medicaid

Applying for Medicaid is complicated, and a mistake could mean your application is denied. Thankfully, you can get help with the process. If you need additional help applying for Medicaid, you can get it through these organizations.

Medicare doesn’t pay for non-medical home care, but it can cover the cost of the medical version of home care, called “Home Healthcare” in some situations. In order to be eligible, you need to be homebound and have a referral from your doctor for the specific type of medical care that is needed. There are also other restrictions that apply.

Below is an overview of some of the services typically covered by Medicare for those who are eligible:

• Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), and to treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis. Additionally, physical therapy is often provided in the home to help seniors recover from surgeries and procedures, such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Nursing Care: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services (such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.) for those who need medical care, but don’t need to stay in a hospital full-time.
• Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy is designed to help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, etc., and providers can travel to your home if needed.
• Speech Therapy: Seniors can lose the ability to adequately communicate for many reasons, and speech therapists are there to help seniors regain the ability to communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets and teaching special techniques to swallow safely.

As mentioned above, home care is distinctly different from home healthcare, but there is some overlap – so while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical home care, there are personal care services that may be covered in special circumstances – such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing.

Read our guide to Medicare and Home Care Coverage for more information.

While the above programs can be a great way to make home care affordable for many people, they are not the right solution for everyone. Thankfully, there are other ways to make home care more affordable for you and your family. For more information about your other options, read our section on Other Ways to Pay for this guide.

Throughout the state of Kansas, many government agencies and organizations provide free or low-cost help to area seniors. These programs help with everything from nutrition to home energy costs.

Based on current federal rules and regulations, all home care agencies in Kansas that take Medicaid funds must have staff that are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. This measure is intended to reduce the spread of the virus in vulnerable populations. Only those with qualified exemptions can skip the vaccine requirement. The state of Kansas does not have any other specific rules regarding the vaccine requirement for home health care workers if the agency does not participate in Medicare or Medicaid.

These rules apply as of April 2022. The rules change often in regards to COVID-19, so always check with the local Area Agency on Aging with concerns about the vaccine mandate or the safety of an aide coming to your home. You can also ask your home care agency about their individual requirements for their staff.

Home care services in Kansas, also known as attendant care services, do not get licensed. However, they must follow the rules of the Department of Health and Environment to ensure all seniors receive a high level of care. Home health agencies must follow Regulations 28-51 of the Kansas Division of Public Health.

Whether you are looking for yourself or a loved one, finding a quality home care provider can be a stressful process. To help you overcome this challenge, we’ve created a helpful checklist below that can help guide you through the process of both determining your needs, and finding a home care agency that will be the best fit for you and your family.

Download PDF Here

Learn More About Home Care in Kansas’ Top Cities

• Overland Park
• Wichita