Kansas HCBS Quarterly Connections: Your Go-To Resources to Learn More About Available HCBS Waiver Services

Introducing Kansas HCBS Quarterly Connections – Issue 1:

Your Go-To Resource to Learn More About Available HCBS Waiver Services

Welcome to the first issue of Kansas HCBS Quarterly Connections – a new resource created by the Statewide Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Assessing Organization, Maximus, which partners with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS). HCBS waiver services help people to live more independently.

In its role, Maximus is responsible for providing functional eligibility assessments to Kansans who are interested in potentially receiving HCBS waiver services. Maximus also provides annual reassessments for those already on HCBS waivers. The HCBS waivers and other services supported by Maximus include:

Brain Injury Waiver Program (BI Waiver)

Provides services for people aged 0–65 who have a Brain Injury to ensure they can stay in their homes and be as independent as possible in a safe, healthy environment.

Learn more about available services and eligibility.

Frail Elderly Waiver Program (FE Waiver)

Provides people 65 and older with various personal, household and health-related services that promote independence within the community as an alternative to nursing home care.

Learn more about available services and eligibility.

Physical Disability Waiver Program (PD Waiver)

Provides services for people aged 16-64 who meet the level-of-care criteria for nursing facility placement and need help with activities of daily living (ADL).

Learn more about available services and eligibility.

Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)

PACE is a program for people 55 and older that provides medical and social services for older adults with ongoing daily care needs to stay independent and help them remain in the community for as long as possible.

Learn more about available services and eligibility.

In each edition of this quarterly newsletter series, you can:

Learn more about the HCBS waivers and other services like PACE
Understand more about waiver processes
How to request an HCBS waiver assessment
Where to access program resources

CONNECT WITH US: Calendar of Events

Below are details about an upcoming in-person event where you can learn more about HCBS waiver services and PACE. Representatives from the Assessing Organization plan to attend so they can connect with current waiver participants, potential participants and members of their support networks, like family members and other caregivers. We hope to see you at this event, a virtual session, or future event in your area!

Event details and Maximus participation in events may be subject to change.

SEP

5-14

2025 Kansas State Fair

Location: Kansas State Fairgrounds, Hutchinson, KS

Friday, September 5 – Sunday, September 14

Learn more about this upcoming event.

Event Recordings: We were privileged to present alongside KDADS, the ADRC and the Northwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging (AAA) last month in a webinar to discuss our roles as the new organizations serving individuals on the BI, FE and PD waivers and PACE program in Kansas. If you missed the webinar, you can catch the recording here. If you’d like a copy of the slides, please visit this link.

COMPASS: Navigating Resources to Support Healthy Living

In each newsletter, we hope to bring you information that informs your own healthy living goals. One ongoing series you’ll see is Compass: Navigating Resources to Support Healthy Living. These are articles focusing on issues that matter to HCBS waiver participants, families, and caregivers. These include topics such as:

Awareness of monthly health observances
Community resources to explore
Helpful insights from subject matter experts on HCBS-related topics.

Check out our first feature below. It explores some unique challenges and barriers people of color may experience in seeking healthcare. Specifically, racial and ethnic minority communities across Kansas might face issues around mental health support and access to mental health professionals.

Click the link below to learn more:

Raising Awareness Around Issues of Minority Mental Health - A Conversation with Dr. Judy Regan, Maximus Medical Director

RESOURCES: Download HCBS Waiver Services Guides

There are several helpful guides to help existing and potential waiver participants understand more about waiver processes and available services. Download the guides below to learn more about some of the HCBS services that might be available to you. They are also available on the KS Statewide HCBS Assessing Organization web page.

QUESTIONS? Learn More About KS HCBS Waiver Services

To learn more about all available long-term services and supports (LTSS) options or to apply for any of the Waivers listed above, contact the Kansas Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at: 1.855.200.ADRC (2372).

For general questions about the Statewide HCBS Assessing Organization or processes related to the BI Waiver, FE Waiver, PD Waiver, or PACE, contact our Help Desk team at:

Email us: Ask-KSHCBS@maximus.com

Call us: 785.268.3600

For questions related to Medicaid eligibility or your overall application for HCBS services, please contact the KanCare Clearinghouse at 1.800.792.4884.

Visit the KDADS site to learn more about all the HCBS waiver services available to Kansans: https://www.kdads.ks.gov/hcbs-programs.

Sign up for the HCBS Quarterly Connections Mailing List: If you received this email message, then you’re already on our mailing list. If you know others who would also like to receive these announcements, have them contact the HCBS Assessing Organization Help Desk at: Ask-KSHCBS@maximus.com with the subject line "Please add to the HCBS Quarterly Connections contact list." The request should include their full name and email address in the body of the message.

INSIGHTS: About Maximus

The KS Statewide HCBS Assessing Organization, Maximus, helps states across the country to manage complex programs to help ensure that individuals with intellectual, behavioral health and developmental disabilities and complex medical conditions receive the appropriate care and supports they need. Maximus has built long-standing relationships across Kansas supporting various community programs and initiatives such as:

Federal Exchange 1-800-Medicare (Contact Center Operations)
Kansas Department of Children and Families – Child Support Services (Statewide Call Center)
Kansas State University and University of Kansas (Consulting Services)

Learn more about Maximus services and capabilities.