KDADS outlines Medicaid-funded services, state hospitals, waivers and regulatory priorities

Deputy secretaries from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) presented an overview of KDADS programs, Medicaid-funded services, state hospitals, regulatory responsibilities and legislative priorities at the Committee on Social Services Budget.

Secretary Laura Howard (presenting for KDADS) introduced Deputy Secretary Andy Brown (Programs) and Deputy Secretary Scott Brunner (Hospitals and Facilities) and said KDADS administers large Medicaid-funded programs, nursing-facility payments and multiple home- and community-based services (HCBS) waivers. Howard told the committee KDADS’ combined state-and-federal spending is roughly $3 billion, with approximately $1 billion in state funds and about $1.8 billion in federal funds.

Deputy Secretary Andy Brown summarized KDADS’ Aging Services Commission, Behavioral Health Services Commission and Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Commission. He highlighted expansion of PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), work on Medicare fraud prevention outreach, and the renewal and amendment of several HCBS waivers. Brown listed the agency’s HCBS waivers (autism, frail and elderly, IDD, physical disability, serious emotional disturbance,…