KS HCBS Brain Injury Waiver Explained

The HCBS Brain Injury Waiver is a Medicaid program in Kansas that provides home and community-based services to eligible individuals who have an acquired or traumatic brain injury and would otherwise require institutionalization in a Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Facility (TBIRF). Here, we also explore the eligibility requirements, the range of services and supports, and the compensation options for caregivers under this waiver.

Overview of HCBS Brain Injury Waiver in Kansas

The HCBS Brain Injury Waiver in Kansas is a Medicaid program approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in 1991. This waiver aims to provide innovation in providing home and community-based services (HCBS) to eligible participants who have an acquired or traumatic brain injury and would otherwise require institutionalization in a TBIRF. The waiver aims to promote the independence, integration, and inclusion of individuals with brain injuries in their communities.

The target population of this waiver is individuals between 0 and 64 years of age who have a documented medical diagnosis of an acquired or traumatic brain injury that has caused injuries that would continue to improve with intensive brain injury therapies. The waiver serves individuals of all ages, from birth to death. As of July 2019, there were 1,200 individuals enrolled in this waiver.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for this waiver, an individual must meet the following criteria:

• Be a resident of Kansas
• Qualify for Medicaid under one of the following categories: SSI, 300% SSI, TANF, or Medically Needy
• Have an acquired or traumatic brain injury as defined by Kansas statute
• Have a level of care determination that indicates the need for TBIRF services
• Have an individualized service plan that identifies the HCBS services needed to meet the individual’s needs and preferences
• Choose to receive HCBS services instead of institutional services
• Be able to receive HCBS services safely and effectively in the community
• Not be enrolled in another HCBS waiver program

Services and Supports

The HCBS Brain Injury Waiver in Kansas offers a variety of services and supports to help individuals live independently and participate in their communities. Some of the services and supports available under this waiver are:

• Assistive Services: Services that assist with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring, etc.
• Financial Management Services: Services that assist individuals with managing their self-directed budgets and paying their service providers
• Home-Delivered Meals: Services that provide nutritious meals delivered to the individual’s home
• Medication Reminder Services: Services that provide reminders to take prescribed medications
• Personal Emergency Response System and Installation (PERS): Services that provide a device that can be activated in case of an emergency
• Personal Care Services (PCS): Services that assist with personal care tasks, such as grooming, hygiene, medication administration, etc.
• Rehabilitation Therapies: Services that offer behavior therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, physical therapy, speech-language therapy, and occupational therapy
• Respite Care: Services that provide temporary relief for primary caregivers from their caregiving responsibilities
• Wellness Monitoring: Services that monitor the health and well-being of individuals through regular visits by a registered nurse

Compensation for Caregivers

One of the benefits of this waiver is that it allows individuals to self-direct some or all of their HCBS services. This means that individuals can choose who provides their services, how they are provided, when, and where they are delivered. Individuals can also hire their service providers, including family members or friends.

If you are a family caregiver of a person enrolled in this waiver, you may be able to get paid for providing some of the HCBS services, such as personal care, respite care, or assistive services. However, there are some limitations and conditions that apply, such as:

• You cannot be the spouse or legal guardian of the person receiving services
• You cannot live in the same household as the person receiving services
• You must meet the qualifications and training requirements for the service you are providing
• You must comply with the policies and procedures of the financial management service agency that handles the payroll and taxes for self-directed services
• You must follow the individualized service plan and budget of the person receiving services

Learn more about Medicaid self-directed care >>

A Note from Givers

If you are interested in applying for this waiver or finding out if you are eligible for caregiver compensation, please fill out this form, and we will get in contact with you.