Kansas Launched New Medicaid Support Waiver
The program provides services to residents with intellectual or developmental disabilities who do not require round-the-clock support.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Special Needs
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Kansas has introduced a new Medicaid Community Supports Waiver designed for residents aged 5 and older with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The initiative aims to support individuals who do not require 24-hour paid care.
Why it matters
This program offers a new pathway for residents who would otherwise need placement in an intermediate care facility. By providing targeted services, the waiver seeks to help participants maintain independence with a spending cap of $20,000 annually.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved this waiver program on July 1 to serve individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. While the state aims to enroll 500 participants in the first year, the long-term impact on overall wait times remains under evaluation.
The players
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
The federal agency that oversees Medicaid programs and approved the new Kansas waiver.
Community Developmental Disability Organization
The local entities responsible for facilitating the required screening for waiver applicants.
The details
The waiver is specifically structured for individuals who do not need 24-hour paid support, offering a tailored service package up to an annual limit of $20,000. To participate, residents must work through a local Community Developmental Disability Organization to complete the necessary screening and consult with a Targeted Case Manager regarding eligibility. The state is currently prioritizing applicants who have been waiting the longest for I/DD waiver services.
Timeline
July 1: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved the waiver.
October 2, 2026: Kansas officially launched the Community Supports Waiver.
September 2027: The first year of the program concludes.
Health Landscape
This initiative sits within the broader framework of the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services waiver program. It reflects a shift toward offering flexible, non-residential support for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Residents seeking these services should consult with a Targeted Case Manager to discuss eligibility requirements. If you or a family member are on an existing I/DD waitlist, it is worth contacting your local Community Developmental Disability Organization to see if this new waiver is appropriate.
The takeaway
This waiver provides a critical option for individuals who need specific support but not full-time institutional care. Interested families should reach out to their local Community Developmental Disability Organization to begin the screening process and confirm their priority status.
Further reading
For additional context on programs supporting residents with disabilities, visit Special Needs.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kclyradio.
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Do you believe state disability programs sufficiently support residents who do not require 24-hour care?
