In-Home Care in Kansas

Kansas has a rapidly growing senior population that the U.S. Census Bureau estimates will comprise 25% of the state’s residents by 2030. The state is also home to several highly ranked hospitals, including the University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City and Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka. These assets, in addition to in-home care costs that hover about $500 per month below the national average, make Kansas an attractive destination for people over 60 years old. In-home care provides assistance with grocery shopping, housekeeping and other daily living activities but is less intensive than home health care, which includes services such as physical and occupational therapy.

This guide covers the cost of in-home care in Kansas, what Medicare and Medicaid do and don’t cover, the other financial assistance options available for seniors in Kansas needing in-home care, free and low-cost resources for seniors in Kansas, and the Covid-19 rules for Kansas in-home care providers.

According to the Genworth Cost of Care Survey that looked at health care costs in 2021, in-home care in Kansas costs an average of $4,576, making it less expensive than in any of the bordering states. Colorado’s costs are the most expensive at $6,387, followed by Nebraska at $5,148, Oklahoma at $4,862 and Missouri at $4,767. Kansas’s in-home care costs are also below the national median of $4,957.

The cost of in-home care in Kansas varies from city to city. Of the largest metropolitan areas in Kansas, the state capital of Topeka has the highest average costs at $5,625 per month. Next is Kansas City at $4,957 per month. The lowest costs in any of Kansas’s large cities — $4,767 per month — are found in Wichita.

In-home care is not the only kind of care available to seniors in Kansas who need assistance with activities of daily living. Depending on the level of care needed and the person’s budget, several other options exist. The most expensive option that also offers the highest level of care is a nursing home facility, where a semiprivate room averages $6,296 per month. Next is home health care, which is similar to in-home care but provides a slightly higher tier of medical services and averages $4,671 per month compared to in-home care at $4,576 per month. Also in the same price tier is an assisted living facility, which costs $4,580 per month on average. Seniors needing a lower level of care and wanting to save money might opt for adult day health care, which averages only $1,788 per month.

KanCare, the name of Kansas’s Medicaid program, covers certain in-home care costs in Kansas through the waiver programs Senior Care Act (SCA) and Older Americans Act (OAA). Because KanCare pays for nursing home care for eligible seniors, its waiver programs will often cover in-home care costs if they are deemed medically necessary and they cost the same as or less than nursing home care.

The SCA covers in-home services for seniors who have a demonstrated need for them. Recipients of the waiver are expected to contribute to the cost of their care on a sliding, income-based scale. The OAA provides assistance with in-home care, along with other benefits such as legal assistance and nutrition counseling.

The easiest way to apply for KanCare is to do it online. Applicants can also apply by phone at (800) 792-4884. Those who prefer to fill out a paper application can download one from the website, fill it out and send it to:

KanCare Clearinghouse
PO Box 3599
Topeka, KS 66601-9738

What Information You Will Need

When you apply for KanCare, you will need a few items. Make sure you have your ID cards on hand, including a photo ID such as a passport or driver’s license, and your Social Security card. You will also need your most recent tax return and bank statements, along with your health insurance information.

In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.

Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.

• Physical Therapists: Physical therapy is used to help patients recover from injuries (broken bones, knee injuries, etc.), treat ongoing conditions such as arthritis, and assist in recovery from surgeries and procedures such as a knee or hip replacement.
• Visiting Nurses: Licensed nurses can provide a number of medical services for those who don’t need to stay in the hospital, but do need regular medical services such as wound care, changing feeding tubes, etc.
• Occupational Therapists: Occupational therapists help seniors regain or maintain the ability to accomplish normal, daily tasks, such as bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities.
• Speech Therapists: Speech therapists help seniors who are struggling to adequately communicate due to a stroke, dementia, or any other cause regain the ability to functionally communicate using a variety of means. Additionally, speech therapists help to keep seniors independent by modifying diets, teaching special techniques to swallow safely, and retraining associated muscles.

As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)

To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.