Your Monday Morning Update

 Your Monday Morning Update:

November 4, 2013

Just like the weather, the intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) waiting list is in for some changes. Unlike the weather however, these appear to be some very good changes! Last week the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) said that no more people will be added to the “underserved” waiting list.  Many of us raised our eyebrows wondering exactly what that means, but appears that over time the “underserved” list may become a faded memory. Remember now, I said “over time”.

Kansas has a developmental disability waiting list of approximately 5,000 individuals.  Nearly 1,900 of these folks are already receiving a service, but need an additional service.

Take the example of a young person that has in-home supports on evenings and weekends. As time moves on, the person graduates from high school and can’t be left at home alone. Now, that young adult needs a day service.  As things stand today, that individual would have to wait until their name gets to the top of the waiting list in order to receive funding for those day services. This may take five, six or seven years. That person is considered “underserved”.

Under the new change, we interpret KDADS as saying that once a person is offered funding, they will be able to receive additional services as they are needed (not wanted ).  There won’t be a lengthy wait.

That is awesome, extraordinary and “about time” news, but a couple of questions come to mind.

• Does this new agenda only apply to folks who are being offered first-time funding?

• What happens to folks currently on the underserved list? Is there a plan to provide those individuals with their requested additional service in a timelier manner?  Will they still have to wait five, six or seven years for that service?

• What is proposed – is an expensive plan! What are the financial implications to the State and Managed Care Organizations?

In the meantime:

We are waiting for additional information, but at first blush, we are encouraged.

We appreciate that the savings from KanCare so far has provided the IDD system with over $9 million to remove up to 250 folks from the waiting list. 

We applaud the State for their initiative to eliminate that underserved list!

We support the purging of the current “underserved” list.

We continue to advocate for the elimination of the entire waiting list.

We believe the State is starting to move in the right direction. 

Now… speaking of direction, get away from your computer, go put on a warm fleecy jacket and go stroll through some magnificently crunchy, golden leaves.  Winter is just around the corner.