Kansas Community Supports Waiver Approved by CMS for Enhanced Disability Services
Governor Laura Kelly, alongside the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), announced the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) approval of Kansas' new Community Supports Waiver. Approved on July 1, 2026, under CMS 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) guidelines, the waiver will launch on October 1, 2026. It will work concurrently with an amendment to Kansas’ 1915(b) KanCare managed care waiver, initially enrolling 500 individuals.
This waiver targets Kansans aged five and older with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who do not require continuous support but might otherwise need services from an Intermediate Care Facility. Guided by recommendations from the Kansas Legislature's 2022 Special Committee on Intellectual and Developmental Disability Waiver Modernization, the program provides personalized support to promote independent living and employment opportunities.
Services under the new waiver are capped at $20,000 annually per participant. KDADS and KDHE are now finalizing implementation, involving system updates, provider enrollment and training, policy development, and community outreach. These steps are essential for regulatory compliance and ensuring effective service delivery.
"This approval marks a significant development for Kansas, providing families with more flexible, person-oriented support," stated Laura Howard, Secretary of KDADS. Howard highlighted that the waiver results from extensive collaboration among stakeholders, promising expanded access and reduced pressure on existing waitlists.
Janet Stanek, Secretary of KDHE, remarked that Medicaid's inclusion of the Community Supports Waiver is a crucial enhancement, empowering individuals to choose and direct their services, thus promoting independent living. Senator Pat Pettey recognized the waiver as a pivotal step in assisting those needing lower-level supports and reducing the comprehensive I/DD waiver waitlist.
Representative Will Carpenter noted the significant difference this waiver will bring for the I/DD community in Kansas, potentially decreasing the number of individuals on the waiting list. Sara Hart Weir, Executive Director of the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities, emphasized the waiver's role in advancing access to crucial services and reiterated a commitment to a person-centered disability support system, acknowledging the teamwork of governmental and community partners.