KS Home and Community-Based Services for the Frail Elderly Waiver Explained

The Home and Community-Based Services for the Frail Elderly Waiver is a Medicaid program in Kansas that provides home and community-based services to eligible seniors who would otherwise require nursing home care. We will also discuss the eligibility requirements, the range of services and supports, and the compensation options for caregivers under this waiver.

Overview of Home and Community-Based Services for the Frail Elderly Waiver in Kansas

The Home and Community-Based Services for the Frail Elderly Waiver in Kansas is a Medicaid program approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in 1991. The purpose of this waiver is to provide the opportunity for innovation in providing home and community-based services (HCBS) to eligible participants who are 65 years old or older and meet the level-of-care criteria for nursing home care. The waiver promotes seniors' independence, integration, and inclusion in their communities.

The target population of this waiver is seniors who need help with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring, etc. The waiver serves seniors of all income levels as long as they are financially eligible for Medicaid. As of July 2019, there were 5,800 seniors enrolled in this waiver.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for this waiver, a senior 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
• Be 65 years old or older
• Have a level of care determination that indicates the need for nursing home care
• Have an individualized service plan that identifies the HCBS services needed to meet the senior's needs and preferences
• Choose to receive HCBS services instead of nursing home 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 Home and Community-Based Services for the Frail Elderly Waiver in Kansas offers a variety of services and supports to help seniors live independently and participate in their communities. Some of the services and supports available under this waiver are:

• Adult Day Care: Services that provide opportunities for seniors to socialize, engage in meaningful activities, and receive supervision and assistance during daytime hours
• Assistive Technology: Services that provide devices or equipment that enhance the functional abilities of seniors
• Comprehensive Support: Services that provide coordination and oversight of HCBS services by a case manager
• Enhanced Care Services: Services that offer supervision and support during nighttime hours when the primary caregiver is asleep
• Financial Management Services: Services that assist seniors with managing their self-directed budgets and paying their service providers
• Home Telehealth: Services that provide remote monitoring of vital signs and health conditions by a registered nurse
• Medication Reminders: Services that provide reminders to take prescribed medications
• Nursing Evaluation Visit: Services that provide assessment and evaluation of health needs by a registered nurse
• Oral Health Services: Services that provide dental care and oral hygiene education
• Personal Care Services: Services that assist with personal care tasks, such as grooming, hygiene, medication administration, etc.
• Personal Emergency Response System and Installation (PERS): Services that provide a device that can be activated in case of an emergency
• Respite Care: Services that provide temporary relief for primary caregivers from their caregiving responsibilities
• Supportive Home Care: Services that assist with household tasks, such as cleaning, laundry, shopping, meal preparation, etc.
• Wellness Monitoring: Services that monitor the health and well-being of seniors through regular visits by a registered nurse

Compensation for Caregivers

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

Suppose you are a family caregiver of a senior enrolled in this waiver. In that case, you may be able to get paid for providing some of the HCBS services, such as personal care, respite care, supportive home care, or enhanced care services. However, there are some limitations and conditions that apply, such as:

• You cannot be the spouse or legal guardian of the senior receiving services
• You cannot live in the same household as the senior receiving services, unless you are providing enhanced care 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 senior receiving services

Learn more about Medicaid self-directed care >>

A Note from Givers

If you are interested in applying for the Frail Elderly Waiver in Kansas or finding out if you are eligible for compensation as a caregiver, please fill out this form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.