Frequently Asked Questions

Medicare typically does not cover the type of services provided by non-medical home care agencies. There are generally three types of organizations that provide in-home care as described below:

• Medicare. Medicare will pay for certain services performed by a Medicare-certified Home Health Agency under certain circumstances. In order to qualify, the patient must be homebound and a physician must order medically necessary care in one of four categories:
  • Skilled nursing such as injections, changing catheters or wound care
  • Physical therapy to help the patient regain function such as walking following a hip or knee surgery
  • Occupational therapy to assist the patient in regaining the ability to perform everyday tasks
  • Speech therapy such as assistance in overcoming problems in talking after a stroke
• Medicaid. Depending on which state you live, Medicaid may pay a portion of the cost of in-home care. Each state has different requirements and benefits but typically the care provider must be approved or licensed by that state’s Medicaid Department.
• Private Duty. Elder Care provides services to clients needing companionship, assistance with the Activities of Daily Living or assistance with other common tasks that the client can no longer perform. If the client has a long-term care insurance policy, Elder Care will work with the client and the insurance company to file claims for reimbursement for all or a portion of the costs of care.

The State of Missouri currently does not license private duty or in-home care agencies. We do have a business license issued by the City of Kansas City.

In Missouri, Elder Care obtains background checks from the Family Care Safety Registry which is administered by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The FCSR maintains criminal history records, sex offender records, child abuse/neglect records, as well as additional disqualification or licensure records maintained by 4 other state departments.

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services administers the Kansas Nurse Aide Registry which maintains records similar to Missouri. For applicants with caregiving experience in other states, we utilize a third-party employment screening company that provides background checks for organizations across the country.

Elder Care carries liability insurance covering all of our employees and Workers Compensation insurance for any injuries that may occur while working. Our caregivers are also bonded for our client’s protection.

Elder Care rates typically range from $20 – 25 per hour depending on the intensity of care needed (RN, LPN, CNA or Companion).

This is a difficult question to answer because the services provided and each individual’s care needs vary.

In-home care can deliver a professional caregiver who provides one-on-one care for your loved one. Services and hours can be “variable” to meet the specific needs of the individual. For example, some families may only need care for their loved one for a few hours per day for 2 or 3 days per week whereas others may need care for 8-10 hours per day every day of the week or work week. In some situations, in-home care may be needed 12 hours in one week but 40 hours the next.

However, in an Assisted Living Facility, costs are “fixed” on a monthly basis for the basic services. Staff members are available to assist all residents; however, extended one-on-one care is limited or available at an extra cost.

Genworth, a Fortune 500 insurance holding company, has published an annual study on long term care costs since 2004. For the Kansas City area, the 2016 Cost of Care Survey reported a median hourly rate of $22 per hour for a home health aide that will typically help with bathing, dressing, transferring and toileting.

Monthly costs in Kansas City per the 2016 Genworth Cost of Care Survey are as follows: