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Local private nursing service outlines in‑home care options, pricing for Lago Vista residents
Summary
Bluebird Local Nursing presented to the Lago Vista Economic Development Advisory Committee about private in‑home nursing services, staffing in the region and costs; the company said it can help reduce repeat EMS transports and support residents who prefer to remain at home.
Bluebird Local Nursing owner Jesse Hazelwood told the Lago Vista Economic development advisory committee on May 24 that her company offers private in‑home nursing across a service area from Waco to New Braunfels and could help residents avoid repeat emergency medical transports.
Hazelwood said Bluebird began during the pandemic, has about 40 nurses on its roster and does not bill insurance for routine private visits. "We charge a hundred and $30 an hour," she said, adding the company hires PRN nurses and pays high rates to maintain flexibility and retention.
The company described a range of services that include wound care, ostomy and tube‑feed management, overnight and hospice sitting, medication management and care coordination. Hazelwood said Bluebird can work with local caregivers and visiting‑care companies to supervise or advise so a nurse does not always need to make in‑person visits.
Hazelwood acknowledged private nursing is expensive and said many clients use a mix of resources; she told the committee that a few clients have had long‑term care insurance cover services, but the company does not routinely accept Medicare or standard insurance.
Committee members asked whether nurses work full time and about payment options. Hazelwood said about five nurses currently work full‑time hours; most are PRN and can pick up overtime or establish LLCs to provide additional shifts. She said the firm has helped some clients secure payment through long‑term care policies but has not seen traditional insurance cover its flat hourly rate.
Hazelwood urged the committee to consider referring residents with repeated hospitalizations or frequent EMS calls to a private nursing assessment to reduce emergency transports. The presentation included an offer to recruit local nurses to serve Lago Vista residents.
The committee thanked Hazelwood and discussed local workforce challenges and options to advertise the service to short‑term rental guests or residents who want to remain at home.
