News Release: Progress in the State Moving Forward in Long Term Services for I/DD in Kancare

In a news release today, the Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) state that they are making susbstantial progress in discussions with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that would allow the State to move forward in including long-term services and supports for Kansans with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) in KanCare starting February 1.

We have received no indication that CMS has approved this start date but the State is providing another opportunity for you to state your concerns and comments.  We urge you to take the oppoprtunity to participate in the call-in below, with the State and CMS listening in.

This special stakeholder listening session is set for Wednesday, January 22 from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.  The first hour, 8:30-9:30 a.m. will be devoted to consumer and family issues.  The second hour, 9:30-10:30 a.m. will be for providers and other stakeholders.  Time will be available in each portion of the call for other comments and discussion.

To participate in the stakeholder conference call,

dial 1-800-811-9422.

We also encourage those willing to do so, to send their written concerns and comments to CMS:

Marilyn B. Tavenner, Administrator

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Hubert H. Humphrey Building

200 Independence Ave, SW Room 445-G

Washington D.C. 20201

[email protected]

and to:

Cindy Mann, JD

Director of the Center for Medicaid and State Operations

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Hubert H. Humphrey Building

200 Independence Ave, SW Room 445-G

Washington D.C. 20201

[email protected]

Below are suggested talking points

• Concerns continue to abound regarding I/DD provider billing within KanCare. The I/DD pilot project for KanCare began allowing billing through the MCOs in October 2013. In that short time, a number of billing issues sprang up and providers participating in the pilot project reported widespread problems with payment. One provider had not received almost $1 million in back payments racked up between October and December 2013. Clearly the MCOs are not yet ready to incorporate the I/DD system into KanCare.

• Concerns regarding the independence of the KanCare Ombudsman also persist. The Ombudsman’s office is housed within KDADS and the position serves at the will of the Secretary of KDADS and the Administration. If consumers within KanCare are to have a strong advocate in the KanCare Ombudsman, significant structural changes must be made that ensure the true independence of that position.

• Back to the basic flaws in this plan: Medicaid Managed Care Companies are not skilled or appropriate for long term I/DD services.  The current system is not broken.  It is actually a model of efficient, effective community based service.  The disruptions in care which have occured during the first year of KanCare are NOT a recommendation for expanding its scope.