Posted in the KanCare Newsletter by Shawn Sullivan

The following article appeared today in the State’s KanCare newsletter. Sec. Sullivan is credited as author. While I could do without the insinuations made about advocacy campaigns, there seemed to be some positive messaging in here. Not sure if that makes me gullible or just prone to early dementia.

Article from Shawn Sullivan:

Change is difficult, and it can be especially difficult for people who rely on others for needed services and supports. Change is also difficult for the providers who support these individuals. I would like to publically acknowledge and thank all service providers around the state who have worked so hard on KanCare implementation. This has been a team effort with thousands of people working tirelessly for the common good of those we serve.

 

While change is difficult, it often can be a good thing and I believe change will be beneficial for the Kansans served through the Intellectual and Developmentally Disabled (I/DD) HCBS program scheduled to be fully included into KanCare January 2014. Unfortunately, there is an advocacy campaign with a lot of misinformation that has created heightened anxiety and fear for persons served as well as their family members and guardians. It is important to know what will and will not change for these Kansans. Here are the facts:

 

• Eligibility determination will remain the responsibility of Community Developmental Disability Organizations (CDDO) as set by the Kansas Developmental Disability Reform Act (DDRA).
• The ability of a person to keep his or her I/DD targeted case manager through a CDDO, a community service provider or independent case management organization is protected by the DDRA.
• The ability of a person served through the I/DD program to keep their current providers is protected by KanCare health plan contracts.
• The MCOs will NOT have the authority to arbitrarily reduce I/DD plan of care hours for I/DD long-term services and supports.
• CDDOs will continue to complete the BASIS assessments that determine the level of funding for long-term services.
• Any reductions in plans of care would have to be reviewed and approved by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS).

 

What will change is that there will be more of a focus on integrating and coordinating I/DD HCBS services with behavioral and physical health services and also a heightened focus on employment supports. These areas of focus will be aided by the flexibility of services available through KanCare as compared to the HCBS scope of services.

 

Looking at the big picture, and looking ahead, the inclusion of the I/DD HCBS program into KanCare ultimately will provide financial stability to the system. And it will allow the state to continue to provide these services and supports over the long run.

 

It is imperative that these facts reach families statewide. Here at KDADS we are providing links and resources to provide factual information to families and to persons with I/DD.

For more information, visit our website at www.kdads.ks.gov.

 

Source: Kancare Advisor Newsletter, May 10, 2013, www.kancare.ks.gov/news.htm

Shawn Sullivan

“The mind, once expanded to the dimensions of larger ideas, never returns to its original size.” –Oliver Wendell Holmes