Navigating Long-Term Care in Kansas

Kansas participates in the long-term care partnership program giving those with a qualified Long-Term Care Insurance policy dollar-for-dollar asset protection. Quality care options are available statewide, and several insurance solutions are available.

However, rapidly increasing costs for care services in Kansas are becoming burdensome on residents and their families for those who do not have Long-Term Care Insurance.

There are a wide variety of care options available in Kansas for those who require long-term health care services, including 

• adult day care centers
• assisted living facilities
• continuing care retirement communities
• home health care providers
• memory care facilities
• rehabilitation facilities
• traditional nursing homes

Top insurance companies have several insurance options to help residents safeguard income and assets, protect lifestyles, and preserve a legacy. Plus, policyholders will have access to quality care options giving loved ones the time to be family instead of caregivers.

Federal Partnership Program

The Kansas Long-Term Care Partnership Program offers a way for Kansans to protect their assets if they ever need to apply for Medicaid services. The initiative encourages Kansans to partner with the state-based program as they purchase qualified private long-term care insurance policies.

This is called “dollar-for-dollar asset protection” or “asset disregard”. If you have a qualified partnership long-term care insurance policy and exhaust all your benefits you are able to protect your estate, based on the total benefits paid by the policy, and still qualify for Medicaid.

Policy Example

For example, if your policy paid $350,000 in benefits you get $350,000 in asset disregard. No matter what happens, your estate will be protected by that amount. The Partnership Program also protects those assets after death from Medicaid estate recovery.

Reciprocity

Most states have reciprocity with other states' long-term-care partnership programs including Kansas. This means if you move from or to Kansas your partnership asset protection follows you as well.

Please note, if you live in Kansas City, Missouri it would be the Missouri Long-Term Care Partnership Program which would apply.

Medicaid

The Kansas Medical Assistance Program (KMAP), Kansas's Medicaid program, will pay for long-term health care if an individual has little or no income and assets. The Long-Term Care Medicaid spend down is $2,000 Long-Term Care Medicaid spend down is $2,000. A spouse’s minimum asset allowance is minimum of $26,076 up to a maximum of one-half of countable assets up to $130,380.   Your spouse’s minimum monthly income allowance is $2,155. * The home equity limit is $603,000.

For more information about the Medicaid program visit www.medicaid.gov.

Kansas Medicaid Estate Recovery Program

Following the death of the care recipient, the deceased's assets are used to reimburse the taxpayers for the long-term health care provided through Medicaid. When a person applies for Kansas Medicaid, also referred to as the Kansas Medical Assistance Program (KMAP), they understand the state may recover assets when they pass away to reimburse the state for the cost of their long-term health care. The estate is subject to the Medicaid Estate Recovery Program, otherwise known as MERP.

The state will recover the cost of long-term care services if assets remain in the estate at the time of death. An estate includes all real and personal property (homes, land, vehicles, cash, bank accounts) held individually or jointly. All deceased assets are subject to recovery, including holdings in most trusts. The recovery includes assets that are not subject to probate. However, Kansas will never require a living spouse to move out of their home. 

The state will recover the cost of long-term care services if assets remain in the estate at the time of death. Remember, Kansas is an expanded estate recovery state meaning the state can seek assets that do not go through probate. Expanded recovery means the state can seek reimbursement through assets held by the surviving spouse, life estates, and assets in a living trust. There are some limitations in certain situations.

Kansas can place a lien on real estate. Also, it is essential to note that a penalty might be applied if there was a transfer of real or personal property without adequate consideration, meaning for less than fair market value.

Remember, KMAP, Kansas's Medicaid program, will provide long-term care services only if you have little or no income and assets. 

If a person had a qualified Partnership Long-Term Care Insurance policy, the total amount of benefits paid by the policy would be sheltered from asset recovery. 

State Resources for Aging and Long-Term Care in Kansas

There are a variety of state resources available in Kansas to help residents and their families with issues of aging and long-term health care. Many of these services benefit low-income families. 

• Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC -AAA)   - 855-200-2372

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services has contracted with the Southwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging, which subcontracts with the state's ten other Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) to function as individual parts of the ADRC. 

The program empowers older adults to make informed choices about their services and supports. ADRC staff provides objective information and assistance to help people access private or publicly funded service programs. 

An options counselor helps older Kansas residents and their families obtain unbiased information on long-term care services relevant to the individual's needs, preferences, and goals. This person-centered service supports the individual in making informed choices about their long-term care service options. 

• Kansas Long-Term Care Ombudsman - 877-662-8362

The Kansas Long-Term Care Ombudsmen Program are advocates for residents in long-term care facilities to protect their rights. Paid and volunteer staff work to ensure the quality of care for Kansans who live in long-term care settings, such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other elder facilities. 

 Ombudsman work with residents, their families, providers, and other agencies to resolve problems and concerns. The office handles complaints and concerns about elder abuse and neglect.

Families who suspect abuse or neglect should contact the office. If an abusive situation is severe enough, they should also call 911.

• Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs Office - 800-513-7731

The Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs (KCVAO) assists veterans and their families to improve the quality of their lives. These services include helping veterans file claims for education, medical or other benefits, and obtaining earned medals and military awards.

Through the Commission on Veterans Affairs, qualified veterans may be eligible to receive VA health care benefits, including assisted living homes. There are eligibility requirements, however. 

• Senior Care Act Services (SCA)    - 855-200-2372

The SCA program assists older Kansans who have functional limitations in self-care and independent living but can still reside in a community-based residence if they receive some services.

The program delivers in-home services to persons who contribute to the cost of services based on their ability to pay. The program is for Kansas residents age 60 or older. SCA services vary by county but may include attendant care, respite care, homemaker, chore services, and adult day care. 

Rate Stability Rules

In addition, Kansas consumers enjoy additional peace-of-mind as the state has adopted Long-Term Care Insurance Rate Stability Rules.  These rules, developed the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, makes it much harder for an insurance company to get an approved rate increase.

Products Approved in Kansas

A variety of products are approved in Kansas for Long-Term Care Planning. This includes tradition policies, including those certified under the Kansas Partnership Program, short-duration plans and asset-based or “hybrid” policies.

Tax Incentives

There are no current state tax incentives available at this time, federal tax incentives do apply.

Reverse Mortgages in Kansas

Reverse mortgages are available in Kansas. A reverse mortgage is a home equity loan where the borrower does not have to make payments.

This type of mortgage can increase monthly income, eliminate mortgage payments, and even fund Long-Term Care Insurance. However, Kansas has many rules on these products, and you should seek the help of a qualified and licensed mortgage broker. 

If you have significant equity in your home and you and your spouse are at least 62 years old, you can get a reverse mortgage to turn your equity into funding long-term health care, pay for an LTC Insurance policy, pay bills and add to your retirement lifestyle.

The home must be the principal residence without any tax liens. 

Learn more about reverse mortgages by clicking here.

_{*The federal government sets a new minimum and maximum amounts each year, but states can set their own minimum requirements at any level between the federal limits. This information is based on the best available sources}