Become a Licensed HCBS Provider
To become a Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Community Service Provider, an agency must be licensed through the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), be affiliated with the local Community Developmental Disabilities Organization (CDDO), and be contracted with any of the applicable Managed Care Organizations (MCOs).
For any licensed service, the following guidance has been gathered to help navigate the process.
KDADS Licensing
Information on the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services licensing process can be found on the KDADS website.
The potential service provider will need to contact Aaron Norris, KDADS Licensing Manager, to initiate the licensing process.
The Intellectual/Developmental Disability (I/DD) license types that can be applied for are: Day Services, Residential Services, and Targeted Case Management.
The types of licenses that can be issued are: temporary, full, limited (for one or two people served), and a license with requirements (having issues meeting licensing requirements). Available license types can be found in Article 63 (K.S.A. 30-63-11).
Article 63 (K.S.A. 30-63)
This document outlines the regulations around service provision. This will need to be reviewed thoroughly to ensure provider responsibilities are understood and to maintain compliance. It is the responsibility of KDADS and the CDDO to ensure that providers are meeting the regulations within. The complete text for Article 63 is available here.
Qualifications
To become a service provider, there are specific qualifications outlined in Article 63 (K.S.A. 30-63-12).
Financial
Potential providers will need to develop a business plan that shows how the provider will be fiscally solvent for the next three years. Additional information provided by KDADS can be found here: New CSP Suggestions for a Business Plan.
Background Checks
Background Check Requirements - KDADS Background Check Policy 01.2019 (Policy in process of being revised, please refer to General Policies for future updates.)
Policies
Review General and IDD-specific policies:
- General | Department for Aging and Disability Services
- Intellectual & Developmental Disability | Department for Aging and Disability Services
Potential providers should ensure they have developed policies as required by Article 63. These can be found on the KDADS website (listed above). There are other requirements within the Final Rule that should be included when drafting policies. Other topics to consider are HIPAA, Internal Incident Reporting, Internal Investigations, and meeting compliance with the Final Rule.
Application
What to consider when completing the application:
- Do not leave any blanks in any field. Put Not Applicable (N/A or NA) if necessary (this includes when sharing information regarding locations/settings).
- Make sure the applicable CDDO catchment area is included.
- This license is non-transferable so it is highly recommended to include a secondary provider on the application if something happens to the primary applicant and that person can no longer serve as primary.
Once the application is completed, submit this and the required documents to Aaron Norris, IDD Licensing Manager.
- Once the application is submitted, there will be a virtual meeting to review the application. If you do not get a confirmation from Aaron when you submit, reach back out to Aaron to confirm it was received.
- Forty-five days into the approval/denial process, another virtual meeting will be held to review the application and progress made. Service providers should also receive monthly status updates from Aaron regarding your application. If these are not received, reach out to Aaron Norris.
- It will take a minimum of 90 days to approve or deny the application. This will take longer if there are issues with what was submitted.
- Be advised that if additional information is requested, you may have only 30 days to provide the requested information. If a provider misses a deadline, they may be asked to restart the process.
- Most applications take approximately four months to approve or deny.
All approved applications are issued a six-month temporary license.
- If the service provider is not serving anyone, then another six-month temporary license would be issued.
- If the service provider is still not serving anyone after one year, no more temporary licenses will be issued. The potential service provider would then need to reapply.
- If the service provider begins serving people within either of the first two temporary licenses and a full license can be issued from anywhere from one month to two years. Most licenses are issued on a one-year basis.
CDDO Affiliation
There are 27 CDDOs in Kansas. Service providers can affiliate with more than one CDDO. If an agency desires to expand into multiple CDDO catchment areas, additional information can be provided by their Licensor.
Initial CDDO Contacts:
- Director, Monica Pfannes
- Administrative Support, Gail Lauri
Affiliation Agreement
CDDO Affiliation can be done simultaneously with KDADS licensing. Affiliate paperwork can be requested from the CDDO's Administrative staff (Gail Lauri). This will include an Affiliate Agreement as well as additional affiliate information. Once completed, return forms to Gail Lauri. A copy of the signed affiliate agreement will be emailed back to you.
CDDO Introductory Meeting
After a provider receives the license, they may reach out to request a meeting with the CDDO. This will review the CDDO’s processes, expectations, and provide an opportunity to ask questions. Please contact Monica Pfannes to schedule.
Medicaid Reimbursement
To bill and receive Medicaid reimbursement for services provided, you must enroll as a Medicaid Provider and be assigned a Kansas Medical Assistance Provider (KMAP) number for HCBS I/DD waiver services. Without a current agreement, you will be unable to receive payment for services delivered.
Provider Enrollment
- Call Provider Enrollment at 800-933-6593, option 1, then option 3 for assistance with the KMAP application. You can also find more information here (click on Provider Enrollment). You will need the signed CDDO Affiliate Agreement to complete the process.
- Once KMAP has approved your application, your provider number and billing instructions will be sent in the mail/email. Please review the Billing Guide to ensure the service provider bills appropriately. This process usually takes 7-10 business days. When you receive your enrollment letter with the provider number, email a copy to gail.lauri@jocogov.org.
MCO Credentialing
Providers must contract with the State of Kansas' Managed Care Organizations (MCOs). A provider must have a signed Affiliate Agreement with the CDDO prior to MCO Credentialing. There are three in the State of Kansas: Healthy Blue, Sunflower State Health Plan, and United Health Care. More information about each MCO and the credentialing process is located on the KanCare website. Agencies may choose to credential with one or more MCO agencies.
HCBS Settings Final Rule
The Final Rule is the federal mandate that went into effect March 17, 2023. This applies to all Residential and Day Service locations, and the fundamentals within should be reflected in the services provided. These are the guidelines to consider when developing agency policies.
Once the agency’s license has been obtained, contact LaTonia Wright. Information will then be provided on how to navigate the Final Rule requirements and how to use the portal. The portal contains questions for each setting in which services will be provided. All required information will need to be listed in the agency’s handbook and/or policies to be considered compliant. If the agency does not have these in place, then they will need to remediate before becoming compliant. The portal is also where the Certificate of Setting Compliance can be obtained, which is required for each setting annually. Please follow up with LaTonia Wright for further instructions.
- Final Rule Portal User Manuals: KDADS HCBS Final Rule - User Manuals (ks.gov)
Sample portal questions can be found in the Additional Resources below, under “Final Rule Sample Assessment.”
Any potential issues that are not in compliance with the Final Rule can be reported at KDADS.FinalRule@ks.gov.
- Final Rule Website for Kansas: HCBS Settings Final Rule | Department for Aging and Disability Services
- Final Rule FAQs: KDADS HCBS Final Rule - Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Rule Contact: LaTonia Wright, HCBS Training Specialist - Latonia1.Wright@ks.gov
Environmental Inspections
The service provider’s license must be approved prior to getting environmental inspections completed. If there are three or less people living in a group home, this does not require Fire Marshal Compliance. If there are four or more people living in a group home, that home must have Fire Marshal Compliance through the Kansas Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM).
All new sites must also have an Environmental Inspection completed by the service provider’s local I/DD surveyor prior to occupancy. The service provider will need to reach out to its local I/DD surveyor to schedule this inspection. The CDDO may also do quality assurance site visits. Kansas regulations allow for all oversight bodies to visit and access files at any time, which can include Targeted Case Managers, MCO Care Coordinators, KDADS, CDDO, etc.
Additional Resources
Provider Resources
- Provider Resources
- KDADS Article 63
- KDADS Inclement Weather Policy
- CDDO Handbook
- FY23 Rate
- Final Rule Corrective Action Plan and Remediation
- KDADS Ongoing Monitoring Policy
- Medically Fragile Documentation Memo
- Final Rule Sample Assessment (Non Residential)
- Final Rule Guidance for Providers
- Final Rule Guidance for Participants