1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)
Role: Administers HCBS waiver programs and defines service expectations and provider requirements

Agency: Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) — Division of Health Care Finance
Role: Manages Medicaid provider enrollment and reimbursement under KanCare

Agency: Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) under KanCare
Role: Authorize Independent Living Skills services, review ISPs, and reimburse providers

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight ensuring services meet HCBS 1915(c) standards

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2. SERVICE OVERVIEW

Independent Living Skills Training Services support individuals in developing essential life skills that enable them to live as independently as possible in the community.

Approved providers may deliver training and support in:

• Meal planning and preparation
• Household cleaning and organization
• Budgeting and financial literacy
• Medication management and scheduling
• Personal hygiene and grooming routines
• Transportation use and community navigation
• Communication, self-advocacy, and social skills
• Safety awareness and emergency preparedness

All training is customized to the participant’s Individualized Service Plan (ISP) and delivered in-home or in a community setting to support real-life application.

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3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register your business with the Kansas Secretary of State
• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
• Enroll as a Medicaid provider through the Kansas Medical Assistance Program (KMAP)
• Apply for HCBS waiver certification from KDADS (IDD, PD, BI, or FE)
• Contract with KanCare MCOs (Sunflower, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare)
• Carry general liability and professional insurance
• Develop policies focused on participant safety, documentation, progress tracking, and person-centered training methods
• Ensure all staff are trained and background checked

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4. KANSAS PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Certification with KDADS

• Submit application to become an approved provider of Independent Living Skills Training under the appropriate waiver
• Complete readiness review and staff documentation review

Step 2: KMAP Enrollment

• Enroll with the Kansas Medical Assistance Program as an HCBS provider

Step 3: MCO Credentialing

• Contract with MCOs and follow procedures for ISP approval and service authorization

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Kansas Business License
• IRS EIN confirmation
• NPI confirmation
• Proof of insurance (general and professional liability)

Independent Living Skills Training Policy & Procedure Manual including:

• Intake, ISP goal development, and progress documentation processes
• Safety procedures and emergency protocols
• HIPAA compliance, participant rights, and grievance resolution
• Transportation guidelines for community-based training
• Staff credentialing, background checks, and training logs
• Medicaid billing forms, daily notes, and audit-ready records

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6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Independent Living Program Supervisor
Requirements: Experience in disability services, education, or human services preferred; background screening clearance

Role: Independent Living Trainers / Support Staff
Requirements: High school diploma or GED; experience providing skill-based support; training in ISP implementation; background check clearance

All staff must complete:

• HIPAA and participant confidentiality training
• Abuse prevention and emergency preparedness training
• Person-centered planning, ISP goal tracking, and progress documentation
• Annual continuing education and performance evaluations

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7. MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS

Independent Living Skills Training is authorized under the following Kansas HCBS waivers:

• Intellectual/Developmental Disability (IDD) Waiver
• Physical Disability (PD) Waiver
• Brain Injury (BI) Waiver
• Frail Elderly (FE) Waiver

Autism Waiver (if included in ISP)

Authorized providers may deliver:

• In-home or community-based training in life management skills
• One-on-one or small group instruction
• Progress monitoring toward ISP-based outcomes
• Ongoing adjustments to training strategies based on participant performance

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Formation, Policy Manual Development, and Insurance Setup
Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Staff Hiring, Credentialing, and KDADS Certification
Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and MCO Credentialing
Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Billing System Setup and Program Launch
Timeline: 30–45 days

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9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)
Website: https://kdads.ks.gov

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)
Website: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov

Kansas Medical Assistance Program (KMAP)
Website: https://www.kmap-state-ks.us

KanCare MCOs:

Sunflower Health Plan: https://www.sunflowerhealthplan.com

UnitedHealthcare Community Plan: https://www.uhccommunityplan.com/ks

Aetna Better Health of Kansas: https://www.aetnabetterhealth.com/kansas

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10. SCOPE OF WORK

• Business registration, KDADS certification, and Medicaid/MCO enrollment
• Independent Living Skills Policy & Procedure Manual development
• Staff credentialing templates, ISP tracking forms, and daily documentation logs
• Billing system setup and Medicaid compliance tools
• Website, branding, and outreach materials
• Quality assurance systems for skill progression tracking, documentation audits, and client feedback
• Referral network development with MCOs, schools, and disability support agencies

Waiver Consulting Group supports HCBS providers, educational agencies, and community support organizations in launching Medicaid-compliant Independent Living Skills Training programs across Kansas.

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