Plano Home Care FAQ
If you are exploring home care for a parent, spouse, or loved one in the Plano area, you probably have a lot of questions. Here are answers to the questions BrightStar Care of Plano hears most often from Collin County families.
What is the difference between home care and home health?
These terms are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. Home health typically refers to Medicare-reimbursed skilled nursing and therapy services provided by a home health agency following a qualifying hospitalization or physician order. It is episodic, goal-oriented, and limited in duration. Home care is a broader term that includes both skilled nursing and personal/companion care services, often on an ongoing basis, funded by private pay, long-term care insurance, or VA benefits. BrightStar Care provides both — skilled nursing and personal care — and works with families to identify the most appropriate and cost-effective funding source for each client's situation.
How quickly can care begin?
In most cases, BrightStar Care can begin care within 24 to 48 hours of your initial call. For urgent situations — same-day hospital discharges, patients who cannot safely be alone — we work to begin care the same day whenever possible. Call us at 214-620-0875 and tell us the urgency of the situation.
Does BrightStar Care accept long-term care insurance?
Yes. BrightStar Care works with all major long-term care insurance carriers, including Genworth, John Hancock, Transamerica, Northwestern Mutual, New York Life, MassMutual, Mutual of Omaha, and others. Our care coordinators verify benefits, assist with claims submission, and manage the insurer relationship on behalf of families. See our home care cost and LTC insurance guide for more detail.
Does Medicare pay for home care?
Medicare covers skilled nursing visits and therapy services for patients who are homebound and have a qualifying need following a hospitalization or physician certification. Medicare does NOT cover personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming) or companion care on an ongoing basis. Our intake team can determine at the assessment whether your loved one qualifies for any Medicare-covered services.
What is Joint Commission Accreditation and why does it matter?
Joint Commission Accreditation is the gold standard quality certification for healthcare organizations — the same standard applied to hospitals. It requires rigorous compliance with patient safety, caregiver training, infection control, care planning, and clinical oversight standards. BrightStar Care holds the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval. Most home care agencies in the Plano market are not Joint Commission Accredited. When choosing a home care agency, ask to see the accreditation certificate.
Are BrightStar Care caregivers employees or independent contractors?
All BrightStar Care caregivers are W-2 employees — not independent contractors. This means they are covered by workers' compensation insurance and employer liability coverage. Families do not bear any legal or financial liability if a caregiver is injured in the home. Agencies that use independent contractors shift that liability to the homeowner — ask any agency you evaluate which model they use.
How do you screen your caregivers?
BrightStar Care conducts comprehensive caregiver screening including criminal background checks, sex offender registry checks, drug screening, employment history verification, reference checks, and skills competency assessment. Our caregivers also receive ongoing training in dementia care, fall prevention, infection control, and safe patient handling.
What if my parent doesn't like their caregiver?
We work hard to match caregivers to clients based on clinical skills, personality, and schedule — but not every match is perfect. If your loved one is not comfortable with their assigned caregiver, call us and we will make a change. Client-caregiver fit matters enormously for care quality, and we take these concerns seriously.
Can BrightStar Care provide nursing AND personal care?
Yes — this is one of BrightStar Care's most important distinctions. Most home care agencies in Plano provide either skilled nursing OR personal care, requiring families to coordinate two separate agencies for clients who need both. BrightStar Care provides both under one roof, with a single Registered Nurse supervising the entire care plan. This is particularly important for post-surgical and medically complex clients whose needs can shift between nursing and personal care as they recover.
Do you serve assisted living communities?
Yes. BrightStar Care nurses regularly visit residents of Plano, Allen, and McKinney-area assisted living communities to provide skilled nursing services that the community is not licensed to provide — wound care, IV therapy, medication management, and in-home lab draws. If your parent lives in a senior community and needs skilled nursing, we can come to them.
What areas do you serve?
BrightStar Care of Plano serves all of Collin County, including Plano, Allen, McKinney, Fairview, Prosper, Celina, Wylie, Murphy, Anna, Princeton, Melissa, Lavon, Lucas, Parker, New Hope, and all surrounding communities. View our complete Collin County service area.
How do I get started?
Call BrightStar Care of Plano at 214-620-0875 or request a free consultation online. A care coordinator will speak with you right away — we are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.