The Texas Medicaid answer, verified
Yes - the STAR+PLUS managed care program's Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver pays for assisted living SERVICES in a personal care facility licensed by HHSC, but 'STAR+PLUS HCBS program members are responsible for their room and board costs and, if applicable, copayment for AL.' Here is what that means in practice for Kennedale families - eligibility, what waivers cover, and what stays out of pocket.
Assisted living near Kennedale compares against a national median of $6,200 a month - and Texas's own median of $5,666, ranked #34 of 50 states.
A semi-private nursing home room runs $9,581 a month at the 2025 national median - the number Kennedale families weighing skilled care start from.
In-home care averages $35 an hour nationally - about $80,080 a year at 44 hours a week for Kennedale households.
Yes - the STAR+PLUS managed care program's Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver pays for assisted living SERVICES in a personal care facility licensed by HHSC, but 'STAR+PLUS HCBS program members are responsible for their room and board costs and, if applicable, copayment for AL.' Whatever your state covers, one rule is nearly universal: waivers pay for care services, and the family still handles living costs - so a Medicaid path still needs a budget.
Medicaid is the payer of last resort for long-term care, and whether it helps with assisted living depends entirely on your state. Yes - the STAR+PLUS managed care program's Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver pays for assisted living SERVICES in a personal care facility licensed by HHSC, but 'STAR+PLUS HCBS program members are responsible for their room and board costs and, if applicable, copayment for AL.' Nursing home care is covered in every state for those who qualify financially - assisted living is the state-by-state question.
The 2026 numbers
| Care type | 2025 national median | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| In-home care | $35/hour | Non-medical help at home - meals, bathing, companionship |
| Adult day care | $95/day | Daytime supervision and activities, evenings at home |
| Assisted living | $6,200/month | Housing plus daily-living help; care-level fees extra |
| Memory care | typically 20-40% above assisted living | Secured dementia care with higher staffing |
| Nursing home (semi-private) | $9,581/month | 24/7 skilled medical care |
| Nursing home (private room) | $355/day | Same care, private room |
Find senior care options near Kennedale
These platforms show communities and home-care agencies near you with pricing guidance. Advisors are free to families - providers pay them, as they do this site.
Disclosure: this is an independent guide. If you connect with a provider through a link here, the platform may pay this site a referral fee. That fee never changes your price - and it never changes what the inspection records say.
Texas: Medicaid, prices and the inspection file
| Question | Texas answer |
|---|---|
| Medicaid & assisted living | Yes - the STAR+PLUS managed care program's Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver pays for assisted living SERVICES in a personal care facility licensed by HHSC, but 'STAR+PLUS HCBS program members are responsible for their room and board costs and, if applicable, copayment for AL.' |
| State median, assisted living | $5,666/month (#34 of 50 states) |
| Licensing & inspection records | Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Long-Term Care Regulation |
Texas issues two license types: a Type A facility serves residents who do not need routine attendance during sleeping hours and can follow directions in an emergency; a Type B facility serves residents who need staff help to leave the building, cannot follow directions in an emergency, and require nighttime attendance.
This guide is research, not advice: an independent summary of published costs and state rules. It is not a care provider, placement agency, law firm or financial advisor - care and Medicaid decisions deserve professional advice for your family's situation.
What this means for Kennedale families
Home care keeps your parent in familiar surroundings and costs less at low hours; communities win on 24/7 coverage, social contact and predictable pricing. The wrong choice is usually the one made in a crisis - which is why running these numbers early matters more than getting them perfect.
This guide is research, not advice: an independent summary of published costs and state rules. It is not a care provider, placement agency, law firm or financial advisor - care and Medicaid decisions deserve professional advice for your family's situation.
Common questions
How do I check a facility's inspection record?
Every state has a licensing or certification agency that publishes inspection results and complaint histories - this guide links your state's agency on every page. Search every finalist before any deposit: violations, complaint patterns and how the operator responded tell you more than the tour.
What fees do communities add on top of rent?
Care-level fees (assessed need tiers that can add $500-1,500+ monthly), medication management, and one-time community or move-in fees are the big three. Always compare communities on the all-in monthly number at your parent's assessed level - base rent alone is a marketing figure.
What is the difference between assisted living and a nursing home?
Assisted living provides housing plus help with daily activities - meals, medication, bathing - at a median $6,200 a month. Nursing homes provide 24/7 skilled medical care at a median $9,581 a month for a semi-private room. The dividing line is medical need: wound care, feeding tubes and ventilators are nursing-home territory.
How much does assisted living cost?
The U.S. median is $6,200 a month ($74,400 a year) per the 2025 CareScout Cost of Care Survey - before care-level fees, which add hundreds more at higher need levels. State medians vary widely; this guide shows your state's number and rank on every page.
Should my parent stay home with help or move to assisted living?
Run the hours math first: in-home care at about $35 an hour serves people who need help, not round-the-clock supervision. Below about 30-40 hours a week, home usually costs less; past that - or when safety needs someone always present - assisted living's $6,200 median often buys more coverage. The right answer follows the care needs, not the buildings.
Find senior care options near Kennedale
These platforms show communities and home-care agencies near you with pricing guidance. Advisors are free to families - providers pay them, as they do this site.
Disclosure: this is an independent guide. If you connect with a provider through a link here, the platform may pay this site a referral fee. That fee never changes your price - and it never changes what the inspection records say.