KS HCBS Intellectual Disabilities and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Waiver Explained

The HCBS Intellectual Disabilities and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Waiver is a Medicaid program in Kansas that gives home and community-based services to eligible people who would otherwise require institutionalization in an Intermediate Care Facility for Individuals with an Intellectual Disability (ICF-IID). We will also discuss the eligibility requirements, the range of services and supports, and the compensation options for caregivers under this waiver.

Overview of HCBS Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Waiver in Kansas

The HCBS Intellectual Disabilities and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Waiver in Kansas is a Medicaid program that was 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 would otherwise require institutionalization in an ICF-IID. The waiver seeks to promote the independence, integration, and inclusion of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities in their communities.

The target population of this waiver is individuals who have been determined to have an intellectual disability or a developmental disability as defined by Kansas statute. The waiver serves individuals of all ages, from birth to death. As of July 2019, there were 8,800 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 a developmental or intellectual disability as defined by Kansas statute
• Have a level of care determination that indicates the need for ICF-IID 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 by being enrolled in another HCBS waiver program

Services and Supports

The HCBS Intellectual Disabilities and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Waiver provides services and supports to help care recipients 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.
• Day Supports: Services that provide opportunities for individuals to engage in meaningful activities in integrated settings, such as employment, education, volunteering, recreation, etc.
• Enhanced Care Services: Services that provide supervision and support during nighttime hours when the primary caregiver is asleep
• Financial Management Services: Services that assist individuals with managing their self-directed budgets and paying their service providers
• Personal Care Services: Services that assist with personal care tasks, such as grooming, hygiene, medication administration, etc.
• Residential Supports: Services that offer housing and support for individuals who live in their own homes or foster care settings
• Respite Care: Services that provide temporary relief for primary caregivers from their caregiving responsibilities
• Specialized Medical Care: Services that provide skilled nursing care or other specialized medical care for individuals with complex medical needs
• Supportive Home Care: Services that assist with household tasks, such as cleaning, laundry, shopping, meal preparation, etc.
• Targeted Case Management: Services that coordinate and monitor the delivery of HCBS services and other resources for individuals
• 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.

Suppose you are a family caregiver of a person enrolled in this waiver. In that case, you may be able to get paid for providing some of the HCBS services, like personal care, respite care, residential support, 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 person receiving services
• You cannot live in the same household as the person receiving services, unless you are providing residential support or 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 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 compensation as a caregiver, please fill out this form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.