What is a Home Plus Facility?

Libby Hastings • Aug 14, 2024

If you’re exploring care options for a loved one in Kansas, you might have come across the term “Home Plus.” But what exactly does it mean? Let's dive into some details of these unique facilities and what they offer.


A Home-Like Setting with a Personal Touch


A Home Plus facility is a residential option for individuals who need extra help with daily activities. Defined by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, these facilities cater to no more than 12 residents. This small size allows for a more intimate, home-like environment compared to larger, more institutional settings.


Who Benefits from Home Plus?


Home Plus is designed for individuals who, due to functional impairments, require personal care and may also need supervised nursing care. This could include assistance with activities such as bathing, dressing, and medication management. The goal is to provide support while maintaining a sense of independence and normalcy for the residents. Essentially, they are like assisted living facilities but smaller, with private suites and some communal spaces.


One important distinction to note is that Home Plus facilities are licensed only by the state of Kansas. This means they adhere to state regulations and standards. Medicare will cover the same items in a Homes Plus that they would cover in your own home: supplies, equipment, and similar items. The difference with Home Plus facilities is that nurses receive orders directly from the doctor and then order the necessary supplies. However, not all Home Plus facilities have contracted doctors. In contrast, if you’re at home, you would need to visit a doctor to obtain equipment orders and then handle the Medicare process yourself, possibly with some assistance from a pharmacy or the doctor’s office.


Medicaid will cover Home Plus through HCBS (Home and Community Based Services) which is a waiver program. In this case, it is called the FE (Frail Elderly) Waiver. However, the Home Plus must be willing to accept and bill Medicaid. Most will not because of the reporting requirements and low reimbursement. Some facilities accept Medicaid but only after two years of private pay or long-term care insurance reimbursement.


Choosing the Right Home Plus Facility


Selecting the right Home Plus facility for your loved one is a crucial decision. Here are some tips to help you make an informed choice:


  1. Check Inspection Reports: Always review the facility’s inspection reports. These can provide valuable insights into the quality of care and any past issues.
  2. Contact KABC: You can always reach out to us at KABC to get a free consumer information report on any licensed adult care home in Kansas, which includes Home Plus facilities.
  3. Visit Unannounced: It’s a good idea to visit the facilities unannounced if possible. This allows you to see the day-to-day operations and get a more genuine feel for the environment.
  4. Ask Questions: During your visits, ask plenty of questions. Here are a few to get you started:
  • What happens in an emergency or a fall?
  • How are food preferences honored?
  • What are the staffing numbers?
  • How often are nurses on site?
  • Does your facility offer transportation?


Choosing a Home Plus facility is about finding the right balance of comfort, care, and community for you or your loved one. With thorough research and the right questions, you can make a choice that ensures receiving the best possible care in a warm and supportive environment.


Why Choose Home Plus?


The smaller, more personal setting of a Home Plus facility can be a significant advantage for many families. It often feels more like living in a family home than a traditional care facility. With fewer residents, staff can provide more individualized attention, fostering a closer-knit community and a more personalized care experience.

Advocacy in Action (August 2024): KABC Discusses "Problem Facilities" and the Urgent Need for Reform

By Libby Hastings • 09 Sep, 2024
In a recent podcast episode and article with the Kansas Reflector, Dan Goodman, KABC Executive Director, and Libby Hastings, Communication and Public Relations Coordinator, shed light on the critical issues facing nursing facilities in Kansas. Interviewed by Tim Carpenter, they discussed the alarming findings from the Long-Term Care Community Coalition's latest data regarding "problem facilities" and the federal staffing mandate from U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. This conversation was based on the insights shared in our July e-newsletter Advocacy in Action article and has garnered significant attention. Media outlets and local newspapers in Hays, Dodge City, Ottawa, and Wichita have picked up the Kansas Reflector story, amplifying the urgent need for reform in long-term care. Goodman also spoke with Abby Wray with KAKE News in Wichita to continue the discussion on "problem facilities" and poor care in Kansas nursing facilities. At KABC, we remain steadfast in our mission to ensure quality long-term care for all Kansas residents. We invite you to read our article with Tim Carpenter and listen to the podcast episode. Your support and engagement are crucial as we continue to fight for improved care standards. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our supporters and the media for helping us share the harsh realities of nursing homes. Together, we can drive the change needed to ensure safe, dignified, and quality care for all residents in Kansas.

Kansas Struggles with Low-Care Nursing Home Residents, Ranking Among the Worst in the Nation

By Libby Hastings • 03 Sep, 2024
The United Health Foundation recently released the America’s Health Rankings® 2024 Senior Report , offering a detailed look into the health and well-being of older adults across the United States. The report examines 52 measures of health from 24 distinct data sources, providing a comprehensive overview of how each state supports its aging population. Unfortunately, Kansas continues to lag in a crucial area—low-care nursing home residents. Kansas ranks #47 in the nation (same as last year, 2023) for the percentage of low-care residents in nursing homes, meaning that a higher proportion of older adults who require minimal assistance are still being placed in institutional settings. With 17% of Kansas nursing home residents classified as low-care, the state is among the worst in the nation, surpassed only by Missouri and Oklahoma, which have even higher percentages. Alaska wasn’t rated in this category, which means Kansas might be the 4th worst, or possibly the 3rd worst, depending on how you interpret the data. In contrast, Hawaii leads the nation with only 2.6% of its nursing home residents classified as low-care, followed by Maine at 2.9%. Montana narrowly edged out Kansas, ranking 46th with 16.3%. This troubling statistic highlights the need for more readily available long-term care services and supports within Kansas communities, allowing residents aged 65 and older the option to delay or avoid institutional care. The availability of these services is vital for maintaining the independence and quality of life for older adults. In the broader context of national healthcare rankings, Kansas fares somewhat better, coming in at 25th overall. However, neighboring states show a wide range of rankings, with Colorado ranking 2nd, Nebraska at 14th, Missouri at 41st, and Oklahoma close to the bottom at 46th. The report also identifies other critical areas where Kansas must improve: Drug Deaths Among Older Adults: The number of drug-related deaths per 100,000 adults aged 65 and older has risen dramatically in Kansas, increasing by 61% from 5.7 (2017-2019) to 9.2 (2020-2022). Healthcare Disparities: There is a significant disparity in avoiding care due to cost among older adults in Kansas. Those with less than a high school education are 15.2 times more likely to avoid care compared to those with a college degree. These findings underscore the importance of addressing the systemic issues in Kansas’ long-term care and healthcare systems to ensure that all older adults have access to the care they need, regardless of their level of required assistance or socioeconomic status. As the state continues to rank poorly in areas like low-care nursing home residents, it’s clear that more needs to be done to support our aging population.
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