What is a Home Plus Facility?

Libby Hastings • August 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 (April 2025): Legislative Recap

April 2, 2025
As we move further into 2025, we want to share an update on our legislative advocacy efforts this session. KABC remains committed to championing policies that protect and support older adults and individuals in long-term care. Here’s a look at key legislative developments and where things stand:
A woman is being pushed in a wheelchair.

Opinion Piece from Dave Ranney, KABC Board Member

By Dave Ranney • April 1, 2025
Opinion piece from Dave Ranney, current KABC Board Member and retired newspaper reporter: In a recent Kansas News Service story on Sen. Roger Marshall’s appearance at a town hall meeting in Oakley, Kansas, (pop. 1,982), a board member with the local nursing home said he’d hoped to hear about issues “…affecting nursing homes right now. Rural hospitals are hurting but all people wanted to do was scream at the senator.” The board member’s concerns are valid and deeply troubling. Cuts in Medicaid spending will be devastating. Medicaid is the backbone of long-term care in Kansas; 57 percent of the state’s nursing home residents rely on Medicaid for their care. These are frail elders whose estates have been depleted. They have no money. Medicaid reimbursement rates are, at best, break-even. They’re not ‘profit centers.’ Even a small reduction in rates will push many rural facilities to the brink of closure. Quality of care, too, is sure to suffer. Medicare, unfortunately, does not cover nursing home care. Rural families will be left with no choice but to move their loved ones far from home to receive the care they need and deserve. Already, eight of the state’s 105 counites are without a nursing home; at least 40 have only one. National surveys have found that a fourth of the nursing homes in Kansas are providing sub-standard care, usually due to inadequate staffing. Recruiting and retaining nurses and healthcare staff in small towns is critical. The board member would do well to consider what’ll happen when DOGE figures out that Medicaid is paying for care that often falls short of federal standard. Lawmakers on both the state and national levels have a responsibility to ensure stable Medicaid funding to keep existing facilities open while, at the same time, investing in community-based services that offer lower-cost, in-home care options that allow people to remain in their communities. Sincerely, Dave Ranney Dave Ranney is a retired newspaper reporter, he lives in Lawrence, Kansas.