FAQs

While both may be provided through the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) program, there is a difference in how the services may be delivered. Home Health Care can be offered to the client through the Kansas Medicaid Program, Medicare or Private Insurance as either Agency Directed Care or Self- Directed Care but will usually is mainly Skilled Services such as, RN visits, Physical or Occupational Therapy and all care is provided under the direction of the RN, Therapist or other Licensed health care professional. Wellness Monitoring, Managing Medications and other skilled services can also be provided. Skilled care is provided to maintain the clients overall health situation and is designed to keep the client in their home and out of Nursing Homes and Hospitals.

In-Home Care Services mainly provide support for eligible elderly, physically disabled other persons with compromised health who need health in the home through waiver programs offered by the state of Kansas. The client has usually been pre-approved to be eligible for the service. These services are provided by care givers, home health aides, certified nurse aides, companions and other non-skilled personnel and are designed to complement and enable by helping the client with their daily living activities.

Care givers, aides and companions are usually expected to help with activities such as preparing meals, light housekeeping, assistance with personal care, doing laundry and other daily living requirements. They may run errands, do or take the client’s shopping, accompaniment of the client to doctor’s visits and more. These items depend upon what the client’s case manager has determined to be the client needs. These services are provided through an approved, certified KMAP Provider who oversees the provision of the non-skilled care.

Yes, client safety is our main concern. All workers are required to undergo a six-part background check which includes not only Kansas records but, uses the National database as well. If the worker has felonies it depends on what the felony was for and how long ago it happened. Not all workers who have had felonies are prohibited. This issue will be discussed with the worker at the time we receive the paperwork to try to help determine if they may be allowed to work but, we do not make the determination whether or not they are prohibited. That is done by the state of Kansas. It will be up to the Worker and Client as to whether or not they wish to proceed with the background check if a worker has a felony but, if the worker is Prohibited from working by the state they are not allowed to work with any client receiving Kansas Medicaid Assistance Program services.

Home Care Services are usually covered through Medicaid or through a long-term care policy if the client has one. Many of the programs we administer are through the State of Kansas, but some are through the Sedgwick County Department of Aging and Disability Services.

Another option for payment is self-pay. That decision is made when a client or their family elects to pay for the care through the use of personal funds. LovingTouch staff will work with you to determine what options you may have or what programs you may be eligible for.

Home care is available 24 hours a day if needed. A worker may be available during the day evening or even overnight hours. Workers can work a few hours a day or more and some are available to stay overnight if necessary to meet the client’s needs. That is determined by the client’s case manager as well.

Agency Direct Care means the worker is employed by LovingTouch (the Agency) and are paid, supervised and managed by Agency staff in providing services to the client.

Self-Direct Care means that the client has chosen to act as the employer for the worker. You the client is at liberty to hire any person you choose if they can pass the background check. You are also responsible for creating schedules, supervising and managing the day-to-day work activities of the worker. Through your FMS relationship with LovingTouch “the Agency” you can request assistance with such items as creating schedules, requesting drug testing and requesting assistance with material to help train your worker is necessary.

Yes. You can use the Self-Direct option to choose your own worker through the FMS – (Financial Management Services) program. You, You, the client, can choose from state approved Provider Agencies in your Local Area or across the State of Kansas to act on your behalf as an FMS agency. Once you choose an FMS Agency, they can act on your behalf to complete all paperwork for your worker including the state required background checks, setting up a Tax ID number for you, completing tax filings and payments to state and federal tax agencies and determining and advising the client on other state requirements you and your worker may be subject to.

FMS agencies create paychecks and process payroll on behalf of you the client. LovingTouch will assist you in finding training or training materials for your worker if requested but, will not impose on your right to manage your own care. The FMS agency will bill Medicaid or other responsible party for payment of your care and will process all financial documents including paying taxes and providing W-2’s to employees at the end of the year. This includes any tax or financial obligation related to the client being the employer of the worker is taken care of by the FMS Agency

Disclaimer: It is important to note that LovingTouch is not the employer of a self-direct care worker. They are employed by the Client who chose them for their worker. LovingTouch will assist the client in any way possible but is not the employer of any self-direct worker.