How Do Medicaid Rules Differ For Home Care?
It’s no secret most Americans would prefer to remain living at home rather than living in a nursing home if possible. Additionally, home care is usually less expensive than full-time long-term care such as a nursing home. Because of this, every state has now enacted Medicaid programs that offer at least some level of home care. Here is what you need to know about Medicaid and home care in the state of Kansas:
KanCare’s Frail Elderly Waiver
The state of Kansas’ Medicaid program is also known as KanCare. KanCare’s Frail Elderly Waiver program is intended to prevent or delay the placement of seniors in a nursing home. The waiver does this by helping seniors who require a nursing home level of long-term care receive the care they need in their own home or in another community-based home such as an assisted living facility or an adult foster care home rather than being placed in a nursing home. Covered benefits and services include:
- Adult day care services
- Assisted living care services
- Assistive technology such as lift chairs, toilet risers, and bath benches
- Attendant care services
- Comprehensive support
- Durable medical equipment
- Enhanced care services
- Financial management services
- Home tele-health
- Home modifications needed for mobility such as wheelchair ramps and walk-in showers
- Medication reminder
- Nurse evaluation visit
- Oral health services
- Personal emergency response system
- Wellness monitoring
Some services can be self-directed, and others cannot. Each applicant is periodically re-assessed to ensure their care needs are being met by their approved benefits. It is also important to note that while this waiver program will cover the costs for care in community-based living such as an assisted living facility or an adult foster care home, the waiver does not cover the costs for room and board in these facilities.
Eligibility guidelines for the Frail Elderly Waiver
When determining eligibility for KanCare’s Frail Elderly Waiver program, the state considers the applicant’s age, income, assets, and level of impairment. To begin with, the applicant must be at least 65 years old. The applicant’s level of impairment will then be assessed by a medical team to determine whether the applicant requires a level of care typically provided in a nursing home. This typically means the applicant requires assistance with a minimum of 2 or 3 daily living activities and 3 instrumental activities of daily living. Finally, an applicant’s income and non-exempt assets are assessed to ensure they do not exceed the eligibility limits for Medicaid. Exempt assets typically include your primary home, one motor vehicle, personal belongings, and household furnishings. However, when the applicant will be receiving the Frail Elderly Waiver while living in an assisted living facility or an adult foster care home, and they do not have a healthy spouse remaining at home, their home is not an exempt asset.
Compassionate Kansas Medicaid planning lawyers help families qualify for Medicaid benefits
It is always best to plan for the potential need for Medicaid benefits well before you need them. The compassionate Kansas Medicaid planning attorneys at Stockton & Kandt, LLC. have the experience necessary to act as your trusted advisors and guide you through the complex Medicaid planning process. Our attorneys have extensive knowledge and skill in preparing Medicare applications and preserving family assets. Contact us at 913-856-2828 or contact us online today. We have offices in Gardner and Overland Park and we are available to meet you at your home if needed.