KanCare Reconsideration Period Policy Update

Beginning July 1, 2025, Kansas Medicaid is implementing a policy that changes how reconsideration windows work for members submitting a late review. The change is sunsetting flexibilities Kansas Medicaid adopted during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE). 

View more information on the updated policy here: Reconsideration Period Policy Update | KanCare

Important Details:

  • Late reviews will now be treated as a new application.
    • Kansas Medicaid may not be able to backdate coverage due to program eligibility.
    • To be considered for backdated coverage, members must respond “yes” to the questions, “If this person is applying, do they need help paying medical bills from the last 3 months?”
      •  Members should only select yes if they have incurred medical bills after their coverage stopped.
  • Submitting renewals on time and keeping contact information updated is the best way to mitigate any potential gap in coverage.

Guided Independent Living Assessment Program (GILA)

Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation (CPRF) is located in Wichita and GILA is a program open to the whole state. It is not waiver funded and is for anyone over the age of 18 with any diagnosis. It is asked that the person has a want to be more independent and thinking about or wanting to live on their own. Each participant needs to be able to be on their own overnight, on weekends, and holidays. GILA provides a safe opportunity for an individual to try living on their own, increase their independent living skills, and have an assessment showing their strengths and where the individual still needs supports. The participant helps set goals to work on areas of independent living and to help with their long term goals.

Guided Independent Living Assessment fact sheet

MFEI SET TO BEGIN JULY 1, 2025

Remember, initially, we anticipate that it will take us much longer to complete this assessment. Our Assessors must meet with the individual being assessed but the individual does not have to attend the entire assessment. We would like to meet with them at the beginning of the assessment and then they can be excused if they choose to.

There are no documentation requirements, the information needed for the assessment will be gathered during conversations at the meeting. It is important that the people that know the person the best and who can report on their activities for the previous three days be present at the meeting. At a minimum, information should be gathered from those involved in the person’s daily life if they are unable to attend the assessment.

For more information, check out the following link.

https://www.kdads.ks.gov/services-programs/long-term-services-supports/home-and-community-based-services-hcbs/i-dd-waiver-program-modernization/medicaid-functional-eligibility-instrument-mfei-and-interrai-care-planning

InterHab Informational Sessions

Upcoming session dates (all held from 4pm -5pm CST)

  • No session in August
  • September 24
  • October 29
  • November 26
  • 2026 dates to come!

To accessess these virtual sessions, use the following connection information:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88507099749?pwd=H4OvJYPLtqSFMjCW0cfIZxaWQuEXqK.1

Meeting ID: 885 0709 9749
Passcode: 68843

InterHab Advocacy Sessions

Session dates (all held from 4pm -5pm CST)

  • February 5
  • February 19

Your voice can make a difference in keeping Kansas with IDD from being harmed due to governmental overreach and bad public policy.

Join us for more information on proposed system change initiatives that KDADS intends to implement in the near future.

To accessess these virtual sessions, use the following connection information:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81165455572?pwd=b8Tm2P6YU8sgof4k3AXrRdW8187U8P.1

Meeting ID: 811 6545 5572
Passcode: 655999 

MFEI Implementation Date Extended

What will happen as of July 1st, 2025?

  • The MFEI-IDD (Medicaid Functional Eligibility Instrument – Intellectual/Developmental Disability) assessment tool will officially replace the BASIS tool for determining eligibility and support needs for all participants.
  • New waiver participants will begin receiving services based on the new updated rate structure and assessment process.
  • Existing participants will have no changes to current reimbursement rates or services levels for an additional 12 months.

What documentation requirements will be necessary for the MFEI assessment?

  • Behavior tracking will no longer be required, although it may be needed if requesting extraordinary funding. We recommend that providers continue to keep behavior tracking, even though it will not be required for the MFEI.
  • Seizure tracking and any seizures happening more often than once per month must be signed off by a doctor as occurring frequently.
  • Proof of currently prescribed medications and specific purpose for each medication.
  • The Person-Centered Support Plan (PCSP) should document the level of medical support needed.
  • Doctors must sign off on the following items:
    • Medical diagnosis within the last 12 months for any diagnosis requiring active treatment, attesting to the chronic nature of the condition
    • Type of seizure(s)
    • Documentation for inpatient hospitalizations
    • Medications and specific reason prescribed
    • Documentation of specific reason person misses regular activities
    • Orders for any special healthcare products
    • Order for special dietary requirements and any food allergies

Please keep in mind…

The new assessment will take much longer than the BASIS, perhaps taking a couple of hours to complete. It is hoped that the assessment length will shorten with time as everyone adapts to the new system.

  • Consider the individual’s comfort and if special considerations are needed due to the length of the meeting required.
  • The individual does not have to stay for the entire meeting. They may leave after specific questions have been asked of them specifically.

Voluntary Program for Disabled Persons in Columbus

Disabled Persons Response and Communication Program (DPRCP)

The Disabled Persons Response and Communication Program (DPRCP) is a voluntary program implemented to assist both residents with special needs and their family members. The program was designed to help residents communicate their unique and individualized needs to first responders as well as assist our first responders during their efforts to modify their response and interactions during an emergency and/or crisis. DPRCP is available to all Columbus residents with special needs including but not limited to mental disabilities, physical disabilities, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This program is also inclusive to anyone who regularly visits Columbus due to employment, education, daycare, etc. and the information provided remains valid for a period of 2 years.

Currently, there are two types of registrations available:

  1. A registration specifically for family/guardians completing the information on behalf of a minor or person in their care
  2. A self-registration form for residents providing information regarding their own needs

After completing the proper registration form, there are also two types of releases available:

  • A release specifically for family/guardians completing the information on behalf of a minor or person in their care
  • A self-release for residents providing information regarding their own needs

By filling out the appropriate registration and release, residents and their parents/guardians are consenting to have this information added to a searchable database. The information provided will be available to law enforcement, paramedics and firefighters responding to a home or any location within Columbus involving a registered participant and will assist with efforts in providing safe, effective and appropriate responses.

If choosing to complete the hard copy versions, these forms can be mailed directly to the Columbus Police Department:

Columbus Police Department
300 E Maple Street
Columbus, KS 66725

If a photo of the registrant is available, it may be mailed with the completed forms. However, it is preferred any photos are e-mailed to columbuspd@columbusks.gov with the subject title including the registrant’s name. In addition, we have provided a more convenient way to register electronically in one easy step.  The electronic versions include both the registration and release in one location and can be sent simply by clicking on “submit”.  If you prefer this method for registration, see this option below where registration forms are provided.

Register Yourself

If you are a person with special needs and you would like to participate in DPRCP, fill out the DPRCP Registration Form and the DPRCP Self Release Form. Forms may be e-mailed to columbuspd@columbusks.gov or they can be mailed and/or hand delivered to the Columbus Police Department at the following address:

Columbus Police Department
300 E Maple Street
Columbus, KS 66725