A number of support programs funded with state and federal Medicaid funds are available in the community to provide assistance to persons with physical disabilities.
Grants to Centers for Independent Living
The Centers for Independent Living (CILs) (see provider list) use grant funds to provide the following core services: information and referral, independent living skills training, peer counseling, and individual and systems advocacy. The CILs added a fifth core service, deinstitutionalization, that assists persons transitioning from nursing facilities to community-based services
Grants to Centers for Independent Living
Average Monthly Persons 1,000
Actual Expenditures---SFY 2006 $1,294,799
State General Funds $121,875
Fee Funds $839,227
Physically Disabled Waiver
The Home and Community-Based Service waiver for persons with a physical disability (HCBS/ PD waiver) serves Kansans aged 16 to 64 years who have a physical disability (as determined by Social Security standards) and who are Medicaid eligible. The waiver redirects Medicaid funding, which would have provided nursing facility assistance, to community-based services. Services to persons on the PD waiver are provided through Centers for Independent Living (CILS) and licensed home health agencies. A current HCBS/PD waiver consumer may, before their 65th birthday, choose to remain on the HCBS/PD waiver, or they may choose to transition to the HCBS/Frail Elderly (HCBS/FE) waiver. Services to persons aged 65 years and older are provided through the HCBS/FE waiver administered by the Kansas Department on Aging.
Physically Disabled Waiver (age 16-64)
Average Monthly Persons 5,533
Actual Expenditures---SFY 2006* $83.243,298
State General Funds $32,704,513
Fee Funds $130,028
*FY 06 expenditure includes FY 06 expenses paid in FY 07
Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver
The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) waiver serves Kansans age 16-65 who have an injury to the brain caused by an external physical force, such as blunt or penetrating trauma, and who are Medicaid eligible. The waiver redirects Medicaid funding that would have been used for an individual's care in a brain injury rehabilitation facility to support community based services. People who receive services on this waiver may continue coverage until it is determined that they are no longer making progress in attaining independent living skills.
Traumatic Brain Injury Waiver (age 16-65)
Average Monthly Persons168
Actual Expenditures--- SFY 2006*$5,753,437
State General Funds$2,269,156
*FY 06 expenditure includes FY 06 expenses paid in FY 07
Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitation Hospital--Medicaid
Average Monthly Persons 24
Actual Expenditures---SFY 2006* $6,499,347
State General Funds $2,565,219
*FY 06 expenditure includes FY 06 expenses paid in FY 07
Technology-Assisted Children Waiver
The Technology-Assisted (TA) Children waiver serves Kansas children with disabilities from birth to age 18 who are Medicaid eligible and who need technological devices to sustain life. The waiver redirects Medicaid funding that would have been used to serve these children in acute care hospitals to home and community-based services.
A SUCCESS STORY
A family needed assistance with their 5 yr old girl who had chronic lung disease and multiple secondary diseases. The girl entered the ACIL program in December 2001, technologically dependent upon a ventilator, trach, G-tube, oxygen and frequent mucosal suctioning. She was on multiple meds and required around-the-clock care. With the services provided by ACIL, this young girl has improved remarkably to the point that her health has stabilized, allowing her to attend public schools. By September 2006, she no longer required any of her life sustaining technologies. The program has empowered her parents to become independent of the program by providing necessary medical supports and services, allowing them time to adjust and care for their child.
Technology-Assisted Children Waiver (birth to age 18)
Average Monthly Persons 44
Actual Expenditures---SFY 2006* $185,143
State General Funds $41,652
Fee Funds $31,376
*FY 06 expenditure includes FY 06 expenses paid in FY 07
Attendant Care for Independent Living -- Medicaid
Average Monthly Persons 242
Actual Expenditures--FY 2006* $17,956,002
State General Funds $7,031,396
*FY 06 expenditure includes FY 06 expenses paid in FY 07
"What services are available through the PD waiver?"
Services available include: Personal Services which provide assistance with daily living tasks which might include dressing, shopping, cooking, and bathing; Assistive Services which provide medical equipment, home modifications, and technology assistive devices which improve the person's quality of life and level of independence; and Independent Living Counseling which provides assistance in linking the individual to support agencies and programs allowing the individual to become fully integrated and active in the community. Additional services include Sleep Cycle Support and Personal Emergency Systems
"Who monitors services under these programs?"
All Physical Disability waiver service providers are required to ensure the services they provide are of good quality, meet individual needs, and are responsive to the choices of the person with the disability. Regional SRS staff review provider files regularly and conduct consumer interviews. Under the TBI waiver, each person who receives services is visited annually to discuss their satisfaction with the services.
"How can an individual with a physical disability apply for the PD waiver?"
To apply for the PD waiver, contact your local SRS office (see regional office listing), CIL (see provider list), or designated home health agency (see provider list) and ask for help in applying for PD waiver services.
"What services are available through the TBI waiver?"
Services available include: Personal Services which provide assistance with daily living tasks such as dressing, shopping, cooking, and bathing; Assistive Services which provide medical equipment, home modifications, and technology assistive devices; Transitional Living Services which teach individuals independent living skills; and rehabilitation therapies such as physical, occupational, speech, behavioral, cognitive, and drug and alcohol counseling. Additional services include Sleep Cycle Support through which assistance is available during sleeping hours and Personal Emergency Response Systems through which individuals can access help in an emergency.
"How do I apply for the TBI waiver?"
To apply for the TBI waiver, contact your local SRS office (see regional offices listing), CIL (see provider list ), or designated home health agency (see provider list) and ask for help in applying for TBI waiver services.
"What if I don't quality for Medicaid? Can I still get help to live independently?"
CILs provide assistance in communities to help persons with disabilities live independently. Contact your local CIL (see provider list) or Home Health Agency (see provider list), to talk to a case manager for information about community resources.