Missouri is an appealing location for older adults who are considering in-home care. The state has a pleasant Midwestern climate, and the cost of living is about 15% lower than the national average. Residents can choose from nine metropolitan areas and many charming cities and towns that are home to more than 1 million seniors. According to estimates, more than 20% of the state’s population will be aged 65 or older by 2030. This surge is increasing the demand for in-home care and supportive services.
With a median cost of $4,767 per month, home care in Missouri costs less than the national average. Agencies may offer in-home medical care, skilled nursing and physical therapy or help with errands, chores and nonmedical tasks.
This guide provides information about long-term care costs in Missouri and the state’s Medicaid financial assistance programs. We’ve also included some free resources to help you learn more about aging in place.
In Missouri, home health care and non-medical in-home care cost $4,767 per month, which is $200 lower than the national average. According to data from Genworth Financial’s 2021 Cost of Care Survey, these rates are typical for the region. Seniors in Illinois pay $5,339 per month for in-home chore assistance and personal care. Prices in Iowa are even higher at $5,529, an increase of $762. Home care prices drop below the national average to $4,576 in Kansas, and seniors in Arkansas pay just $4,185, which saves them $580 compared to Missouri.
Missouri
$4767
The United States
$4957
Kansas
$4576
Arkansas
$4185
Illinois
$5339
In Missouri’s largest cities, the cost of in-home care ranges from a low of $3,813 in Jefferson City to a high of $5,482 in St. Louis. Prices are on par with the state median in St. Joseph and Springfield at $4,767. Seniors in Kansas City pay $4,957, which is slightly more than average, and median rates rise to $5,053 in Columbia. Joplin also offers a competitive value at $4,481, which could save you $286 on the state average.
Kansas City
$4957
St. Louis
$5482
Springfield
$4767
Columbia
$5053
St. Joseph
$4767
Joplin
$4481
Jefferson City
$3813
Missouri’s long-term care prices vary significantly depending on how much assistance you require and where you receive these services. Prices start at $1,907 for community-based daytime health care programs. Assisted living is significantly more affordable than the national average of $3,000. Medical and nonmedical care costs $1,767 more at $4,767. Nursing homes are more expensive yet with an average of $5,262.
In-Home Care
$4767
Home Health Care
$4767
Nursing Home Care
$5262
Assisted Living
$3000
Adult Day Health Care
$1907
Missouri covers in-home care through its Medicaid State Plan and several home- and community-based services waivers. Basic Personal Care Services are available to Medicaid-eligible adults aged 18 and older who require a nursing home level of care. The program covers medically oriented services to help recipients with activities of daily living, including bathing, grooming, toileting, mobility and medications. There are limitations on how much care may be provided relative to the cost of nursing home care. Advanced Personal Care is available to individuals who have greater functional limitations. Medicaid members may also be eligible for nursing visits and home health care through the Medicaid State Plan. You must apply for regular Medicaid and qualify based on your income and assets to be considered for these programs.
Missouri offers several home-based and community-based services waivers depending on your age and health. Eligibility is based on medical and financial needs. The following programs cover in-home care and chore assistance and some more advanced services.
Medicaid is a group of programs available to various individuals based on their medical and financial needs, so it may be difficult to determine which programs you qualify for without applying. To receive regular Medicaid for the aged, blind or disabled in Missouri, your monthly income can’t exceed $963 ($11,556 yearly) if you’re applying individually or $1,297 ($15,564 yearly) if you’re applying as a couple. Assets are limited to $5,035 per person. Income limits are slightly higher for applicants who are blind and for certain programs that require a nursing home level of care.
2022 Medicaid Income Limits for Seniors in Missouri
| Income limits* | Asset limits |
|---|---|
| $11,556 | $5,035 |
| $15,564 | $10,070 |
*Per year
If you need long-term care and think that you may qualify for financial assistance, you can apply for Medicaid online using the state’s secure application portal. For assistance over the phone, call the Medicaid call center at (855) 373-9994. You may also complete a paper application or have someone help you complete this step. Signed applications should be submitted to the Family Support Division by mail, email or fax.
Family Support Division
615 E. 13th St.
Kansas City, MO 64106
Email: FSD.Documents@dss.mo.gov
Fax: 573-526-9400
If you’re aged 65 or older, disabled, live in a long-term care facility or receive other government benefits, such as Social Security, Medicare or VA health care, make sure to submit the Supplemental Form when you apply.
What Information You Will Need
Missouri’s Medicaid application asks for a variety of personal and financial information. To simplify the process, make sure to have the following items on hand.
Applying for Medicaid is designed to be a simple process. If you have questions or need extra help, contact these government agencies for assistance.
| Program | Contact | AreaServed | Services provided |
|---|---|---|---|
| FSD Information Center | (855) 373-4636 | Statewide | To check on the status of a new or existing Medicaid application or to request in-person assistance at a local office, contact the Family Support Division Information Center. |
| FSD Contact Center | (855) 373-9994 | Statewide | If you need help completing an online application or if you already submitted an application using the state's benefits portal, call the Family Support Division Contact Center for assistance. This call center can process your Medicaid application over the phone. |
| Division of Legal Services | Central (573) 751-0335, East (314) 877-2072, West (816) 325-5918 | Regional | If your application for Medicaid has been denied or if you disagree with another benefits-related decision, you may contact the division of Legal Services to request an appeal. |
In general, Medicare does not cover the cost of non-medical home care. That being said, there are situations in which Medicare provides some coverage for medical home care, referred to as “Home Healthcare.” There are several eligibility restrictions for coverage, including that individuals must be homebound and have a referral from their doctor specifically for home healthcare services.
Below is an overview of some of the skilled medical professionals whose in-home services are typically covered by Medicare – for more in-depth information, refer to our Guide to Home Healthcare.
As mentioned above, in-home care is distinctly different from home healthcare. But, there can be some overlap in services between the two types of care. So, while Medicare doesn’t cover non-medical in-home care, there are in-home care services that may be covered in special circumstances when they’re provided in conjunction with home healthcare (such as an occupational therapist helping with eating or dressing)
While the above programs help many people finance in-home care, they will not cover all costs for everyone. There are other ways to pay for in-home care, including out-of-pocket arrangements with siblings, annuities, reverse mortgages, private insurance and more. Read Caring.com’s Guide to In-Home Care Costs to learn more about these alternative payment options.
If you live in Missouri and want to maintain your independence, check out the following resources to find services in your area. Many programs are free to residents aged 60 or older.
| Resource | Contact | AreaServed | Service |
|---|---|---|---|
| Area Agencies on Aging | (573) 526-4542 | Regional | Missouri has 10 Area Agencies on Aging that serve seniors and family caregivers across the state. These agencies provide information and referrals and administer federally funded programs, including senior activities, accessible transportation, nutrition services and other supports. They can also help you apply for in-home care and financial assistance. |
| Missouri Senior Legal Helpline | (800) 235-5503 | Statewide | Seniors may face a variety of legal challenges when it comes to aging in place. Missouri’s Senior Legal Helpline can assist callers with wills, trusts, advance directives, long-term care access and government benefits. Staff can also provide information about housing and consumer rights. |
| OATS Transit | (888) 875-6287 | Statewide | OATS is a statewide transportation service serving seniors, disabled adults and rural or isolated residents in all 87 counties. This nonprofit corporation operates deviated fixed-route bus routes and provides a variety of other transportation services, including shared rides, demand-response van service and door-to-door escorts. |
| Low-Income Weatherization Assistance | (800) 361-4827 | Statewide | The Missouri Department of Natural Resources works with 18 regional agencies to administer the state’s Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program. Eligible households may qualify for free weatherization services and energy efficiency updates. Eligibility is based on income and household size. If you’re applying with your spouse, you can have up to $34,840 in annual income. |
| DSS Utility Assistance | (855) 373-4636 | Statewide | Low-income families who need help paying their gas, electric or water bill may qualify for crisis intervention services to prevent disconnection. LIHEAP pays up to $1,200 during the summer or $1,600 during the winter. It also offers one-time bill payment assistance during the heating or cooling season. LIHWAP pays up to $750 on balances and fees to prevent disconnection or restore your water service. |
| Missouri Property Tax Credit | (573) 751-3505 | Statewide | Senior homeowners and renters who earn less than $34,000 or $29,200 per year may qualify for a state income tax credit based on the real estate tax they pay. Renters may be eligible for a tax credit of up to $750, and homeowners may be able to claim a credit of up to $1,100. |
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services oversees Home Care and Rehabilitative Standards to safeguard services provided through home health agencies. The MDHSS conducts on-site inspections for Medicare certification and/or state licensure compliance and issues state licenses for the operation of these agencies. It also investigates allegations of inappropriate patient care, verifies the training and credentials of agency staff, visits patients and reviews quality assurance programs. The table below provides an overview of the rules and regulations in the State of Missouri.
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Scope of Care | Home care agencies may provide assistance with activities of daily living, personal care, homemaking, companionship, respite, self-administered medications that don't require a licensed nurse and other non-skilled services a patient might need. |
| Care Plan Requirements | Patients must receive an individualized written plan of care that specifies the care, services and equipment necessary to meet their specific needs as identified in a comprehensive assessment, plus the frequency and duration of visits, nutritional requirements and patient and caregiver education and training. All services must be furnished in accordance with accepted standards of practice. |
| Medication Management Requirements | Home care providers may assist patients with self-administered medications that don't require the skills of a licensed nurse. |
| Staff Screening Requirements | In-home services providers, home health agencies and consumer directed services providers must conduct background screenings prior to hiring an employee, including a criminal background check and an Employee Disqualification List check. Individuals cannot have been found guilty of abuse, neglect, mistreating residents or misappropriation of residents' property. Eldercare workers hired on or after January 1, 2001, must register with the Family Care Safety Registry. |
| Staff Training Requirements | Home health aides must complete a state-approved training and competency evaluation program that includes classroom and supervised practical training. Home health aides also must receive at least 12 hours of in-service training during each 12-month period, which may occur while caring for a patient. |
| Medicaid Coverage | The Missouri Care Options, Aged and Disabled Waiver and Independent Living Waiver programs will cover some or all the cost of in-home care for those who qualify. |
| Reporting Abuse | Abuse, neglect, bullying and financial exploitation of individuals age 60 and older should be reported to the Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline 1-800-392-0210 or make an online report. |
Whether you are looking for yourself or a loved one, finding a quality home care provider can be a stressful process. When you hire an in-home care aide you’re placing a lot of trust in the hands of the person by inviting them into your home, so you’ll want to be diligent in your search. At Caring.com, we’re here to help – we’ve created a helpful checklist below that can help guide you through the process of both determining your needs and finding a home care agency that will provide the best care possible.
To find quality home care providers near you, simply input the zip code or city where you would like to start your search. We have an extensive directory of home care agencies all across the nation that includes in-depth information about each provider and hundreds of thousands of reviews from seniors and their loved ones.
11 Results
2000 Forum Blvd, Ste 2, Ste. O, Columbia, MO, 65203
4.8
(50 reviews)
"We've been using Right at Home Central Missouri for five weeks for my grandfather. He seems happy. He's had no complaints. It's the same person each day. They do meal prep for him, they do housework, and they get his groceries for him. It's automatic..."
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1520 Business Loop 70 W, Columbia, MO, 65202
5.0
(9 reviews)
"They do an excellent job with home care and dealing with a disabled partner...."
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200 S. Keane St, Ste A, Columbia, MO, 65201
4.4
(146 reviews)
"We used Brightstar Care of Mid Missouri for a month for Dad, and there was nothing wrong with their service. They came three times a week for three hours a day. They cleaned the house and the caregiver was fine...."
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305 Timbercreek Dr., Jefferson City, MO, 65109
4.6
(25 reviews)
"Home Helpers has cared for my father for five years now. I could not have found a better company. The staff with home helpers exceeds my expectations above and beyond and they are so professional. They should be your first choice if your looking for..."
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303 N. Stadium Blvd., Columbia, MO, 65203
5.0
(1 reviews)
"I have been to happy with the care Interim has given my father. I live 2 hour away and it is so comforting knowing that they are taking good care of him. I would recommend them to anyone...."
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1755 Woodclift Drive, , Jefferson City, MO, 65109
4.0
(1 reviews)
"The services Homemaker Health Care provide and my husband's home health aide who comes in is excellent. His LPN who comes once a week to check in because he is diabetic is very good and knowledgeable. I myself work in health care field for 30 years, ..."
READ MORECaring's Family Advisors are here to help you with questions about senior living and care options.
Po Box 6818, Jefferson City, MO, 65102
4.0
(1 reviews)
"We have been using Pyramid since last September. They are caring, competent, and communicate well with the family. We have an in-home helper who is always on time, willing to be helpful in any way and very compassionate! It gives us peace of mind ..."
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3033 South Kansas Expressway , Springfield, MO, 65807
2.5
(15 reviews)
"My father in law has been in wonderful hands. His caregiver is Chrissy. SHE IS AMAZING!! She goes above and beyond to make sure he gets everything he needs. Words can't express how grateful we are that she was sent to be with him when we are at..."
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905 Safari, Ste. 105, Columbia, MO, 65202
1.5
(2 reviews)
"I found the professionals who came in initially to evaluate my situation were knowledgeable, thorough in their assessment and polite. However, my primary complaint as time went on was the constant changing of the actual care-givers who came to my hom..."
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1400 Heriford Road, Ste 104, Columbia, MO, 65202
"Since 1974, more physicians, families and patients of all ages have trusted Oxford to provide compassionate care, innovative services and cu..."
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