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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.
Home Care | Home Health Care | |
Kansas | $4,576 | $4,671 |
National | $4,957 | $5,148 |
Oklahoma | $4,862 | $4,862 |
Missouri | $4,767 | $4,767 |
Nebraska | $5,148 | $5,339 |
Colorado | $6,387 | $6,387 |
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.
Income Limits* | Asset Limits | |
Single Person | $5,700 | $2,000 |
Two-Person Household | $5,700 | $3,000 |
* per year
Kansas applicants for Medicaid must also meet these requirements:
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:
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.
Contact | Area Served | Services Provided | |
Local KanCare Office | (800) 792-4884 | Entire State | KanCare has local offices throughout the state that can help you get through the application process. Visit the local office or call KanCare directly for help. |
Kansas Assistance Network | (800) 252-8263 | Wyandotte County | Kansas Assistance Network helps Kansans apply for Medicaid and other health insurance programs. It employs Community Health Workers to help seniors navigate their health coverage needs. |
KanCare Member Portal | Online | Entire State | Once you are a member of KanCare, you can get help with enrollment and understanding your benefits at the KMAP website, which answers questions and provides access to a provider directory, so seniors can get the care they need. |
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:
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.
Contact | Area Served | Services Provided | |
Kansas Area Agencies on Aging | (785) 267-1336 | Entire State | The Kansas Area Agencies on Aging provide access to person-directed care programs, including home-delivered meals, transportation programs, caregiver services and respite care, which can make aging at home a viable option for many older adults. |
Kansas Legal Services | (888) 353-5337 | Entire State | Kansas Legal Services provides free legal advice to seniors about non-criminal legal matters. Seniors can call the toll-free Elder Law Hotline to get advice about their legal concerns. KLS partners with the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services and local AAAs to provide support to the state’s senior population. |
Meals on Wheels Association of Kansas | (785) 295-3980 | Entire State | Meals on Wheels Association of Kansas provides home-delivered and congregate meals for seniors throughout the state. It operates local chapters, often through the local AAA, to ensure needy seniors can get meals delivered to their homes. Along with the meal delivery, seniors receive a wellness check from the volunteer and a short, friendly visit. |
Kansas Weatherization Assistance | (785) 217-2001 | Entire State | Seniors who are struggling to pay their energy bills can get help through the Kansas Weatherization Assistance program, which helps seal homes to ensure they’re as weathertight and efficient as possible. A free home energy audit finds areas where the home’s efficiency suffers. The program may also provide help with adding insulation, upgrading lighting and other help to lower energy use. |
Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services | (785) 296-4986 | Entire State | The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services spearheads many of the services available to seniors in the state. The Aging Services department provides community-based programs that include caregiver respite and in-home services help. |
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.
What Types of Care Can Be Provided? | The number of services provided by a home health agency depends on the needs of the individual requiring care. Often this care covers companionship, help with budgeting, activities of daily living, care of pets and light housekeeping. Sometimes home health aides provide non-nursing tasks such as medication management or special dietary preparation. |
Are Care Plans Required? | Every senior must have a personalized care plan based on their specific health needs, and that plan must be in place when care begins. It should address both immediate needs as well as long-term needs. The senior’s doctor authorizes these services and reviews the plan every 62 days. |
Can Home Care Providers Assist with Medication Management? | In-home care providers in Kansas can administer medications. They are also allowed to give enemas and suppositories, provided the medical team believes the individual could administer them if they had the physical ability to do so. |
Are There Special Requirements for Screening Home Care Aides? | Caregivers need to be screened for tuberculosis and receive a chest X-ray before getting hired by a home health agency in Kansas. Regular health screenings are part of the requirements for these care aides. A personal interview and reference checks are mandatory as well. |
Are Home Care Aides Required to Undergo Special Training? | Home care aides do not have specific training requirements in Kansas if they are only providing attendant care services. |
Does Medicaid Cover Home Care in Iowa? | KanCare covers in-home care under the Frail and Elderly waiver program. Through this program, seniors who need nursing home-level care, but want to remain at home can get payment for their care through Medicaid. |
How Do I Report Abuse of Myself or a Loved One? | Contact the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services at (800) 842-0078. |
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.