Home Care in Oklahoma

According to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey, the average monthly cost of in-home care in Oklahoma is $4,862, and home health care costs the same. Home care provides companionship, supervision, light housekeeping, transportation and help with a senior’s activities of daily living. Home health care is more focused on medical services, such as physical therapy, wound care, medication administration and monitoring of chronic conditions.

Oklahoma’s home care and home health care costs are slightly lower than the national average of $4,957 and $5,148, respectively. Rates are about $300 less in Texas where both services are priced at $4,576. In Arkansas, home care and home health care cost only $4,185 to $4,195. In Kansas, home care prices average $4,576, and home health care costs a little more at $4,671. Missouri is a bit cheaper than Oklahoma; both services there cost $4,767.

Seniors might want to consider other kinds of care depending on their personal needs. Nursing home care is ideal for people who need medical services and a very high level of supervision. It costs an average of $5,475, about $600 more than home care. Assisted living provides community-based care for $3,855, approximately $1,000 less than home care. The cheapest choice is adult day care at $1,495.

Oklahoma’s Medicaid program, SoonerCare, covers the cost of home care services as long as that individual meets certain conditions and financial eligibility requirements. The state also offers two Medicaid waivers that provide home and community-based care services: the ADvantage Waiver Program and the Medically Fragile Program. Both programs cover case management, home supervision, personal care and many other supportive services.

ADvantage Waiver Program

The ADvantage Waiver is a program open to frail and elderly adults who don’t have a cognitive impairment or intellectual disability. It provides adult day care, home modifications, personal care, home-delivered meals and in-home respite for family caregivers. It also includes skilled nursing, hospice, therapeutic services and specialized medical equipment and supplies.

To qualify for the ADvantage Waiver, you must be financially eligible for SoonerCare and:

• Be at least 65 years old or physically disabled
• Live in your own home or a family member’s home
• Have needs that can be met at home with community supports and waiver services
• Be determined to meet institutional standards for care in a nursing facility

To apply, you’ll need to enroll in SoonerCare if you’re not already a member. Then, fill out the online Application for In-Home Assistance. A nurse and caseworker will contact you once your application has been reviewed. If you’re unable to apply online, call (800) 435-4711 to complete an application over the phone.

Medically Fragile Program

The Medically Fragile Program provides a home and community-based alternative to nursing home placement for people who meet the need for institutional levels of care. It provides self-directed care services, private duty nursing, environmental modifications and advanced restorative assistance. Prescription drugs, therapy services and a personal emergency response system (PERS) are also included.

To be eligible, you must:

• Be 19 years old or above
• Financially qualify for SoonerCare
• Live at home or in a residential setting
• Demonstrate a need for skilled nursing or a hospital level of care

Complete and submit the online Long-Term Services and Supports application to apply for the Medically Fragile Program. You can also print and fax the application to (405) 530-7736. Your application will be reviewed, and you’ll receive a follow-up call in five to seven business days.

You will need to meet financial eligibility requirements to qualify for Medicaid (SoonerCare) in Oklahoma. The state’s income limits for regular Medicaid are $1,133 per month, or $13,596 per year, for a single person and $1,526 monthly, and $18,312 yearly, for a two-person household. Oklahoma also has a limit on the value of assets that applicants can own. The limits are $2,000 for a single person and $3,000 for a two-person household.

Seniors who are 65 and up, blind or disabled can apply for SoonerCare through the Department of Human Services. If you are younger than 65, you’ll need to apply through the Oklahoma Health Care Authority online enrollment portal. In both cases, you must create an account to start the application process.

What Information You Will Need

You will need to supply several pieces of information and documentation to apply for SoonerCare. These may include:

• Proof of citizenship, such as a U.S. birth certificate
• Copy of driver’s license or other government-issued ID card
• Proof of income, including pay stubs or tax returns
• Information about checking accounts, savings accounts and other assets
• Tax-deductible expenses
• Information about other insurance you have, including health, dental and vision

How to Get Help Applying for Medicaid

Applying for Medicaid in Oklahoma can feel like a complicated process. Fortunately, if you have questions about SoonerCare or need someone to walk you through the application process, the following resources can help.

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.

Oklahoma has many nonprofit organizations, government agencies and supportive programs aimed at helping seniors who want to age in place at home. Residents may be eligible for home-delivered meals, property tax exemptions, affordable home repairs and more.

In Oklahoma, all home health care staff employed by agencies that participate in Medicare and/or Medicaid are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless exempt per the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. Home health workers and agencies that don’t participate in Medicare and/or Medicaid are not required to comply with this rule.

The rule is current as of April 2022, but regulations can change often. Additionally, home care agencies may have their own rules regarding COVID-19 vaccinations. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging if you have questions or concerns about vaccination rules and requirements.

The state’s Department of Health regulates home care providers in Oklahoma. Providers are required to comply with regulations on care plans, staff training and screening, medication management and reporting abuse.

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 Oklahoma’s Top Cities

• Oklahoma City
• Tulsa