Two things come up in almost every conversation we have with new families: “What will this cost?” and “How do I keep doing all of this myself?” Neither question has a one-size-fits-all answer, but here’s what we can tell you.
Understanding What’s Covered
Kinesis works with a wide range of payers, including Medicare, Tricare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Humana, Aetna, Anthem, WellCare, and most commercial insurance plans. Coverage details vary by plan and by the specific services ordered, which is why our intake team reviews benefits with each family individually before care begins — so you know what to expect, not just what’s possible in theory.
What Determines Whether Care Is Covered
In general, coverage depends on two things: a physician’s formal order for home health services, and the patient meeting homebound status criteria — meaning it’s genuinely difficult for them to leave home without help, or their doctor has recommended they stay home for medical reasons. Once those pieces are in place, we coordinate directly with the physician and the payer so the family isn’t stuck in the middle.
A Note to Family Caregivers
If you’re managing appointments, medications, meals, and worry on top of everything else in your life, this is your reminder: that work counts, and you don’t have to carry it alone. Home health care isn’t a replacement for family caregiving — it’s backup. A nurse, therapist, or aide checking in regularly can catch problems early, answer questions you didn’t know who to ask, and give you room to just be a spouse, son, or daughter again instead of a full-time care coordinator.
Recognizing the Caregivers Behind the Care
This week also includes Women’s Equality Day — a fitting moment to recognize the nurses, therapists, and aides, so many of them women, whose skill and patience quietly hold the entire home health field together, both professionally and within families.
Have Questions About Coverage?
The best way to find out what’s covered for your specific situation is to ask. Call our intake team at (512) 551-9159 or toll-free at (800) 670-9370, and we’ll walk through your options with you.