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# Kansas Seeks Final Input Before New Disability Waiver Launch
- URL: https://www.theamericanquorum.com/state-news-kansas-2026-09-16-a/
- Published: 2026-09-16T10:25:30.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-16T10:25:30.000Z
- Description: Kansas is accepting comments through September 24 on policies for a new Medicaid waiver launching October 1. The program will offer capped community supports to 500 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in its first year.
- Author: News Desk
- Tags: State News, Kansas

Kansas residents have until September 24 to comment on draft operating policies for a new Medicaid program that is scheduled to begin October 1 for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The [Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services’ public-comment page](https://www.kdads.ks.gov/services-programs/long-term-services-supports/home-and-community-based-services-hcbs-programs/hcbs-policies?ref=theamericanquorum.com) lists the draft Community Supports Waiver policies and the state’s instructions for submitting feedback.

The timing matters because the waiver will create a new, limited pathway to home- and community-based services rather than 24-hour paid support. [The governor’s approval announcement](https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/KSOG/bulletins/41fd16a?ref=theamericanquorum.com) says federal regulators authorized 500 participants for the first program year, running October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027\. Services are capped at $20,000 per participant each year.

The program is intended for Kansas residents age 5 or older with an intellectual or developmental disability who meet the Medicaid threshold for institutional-level care but do not need continuous paid assistance. The [state’s participant guide](https://www.kdads.ks.gov/services-programs/long-term-services-supports/community-support-waiver/csw-for-participants?ref=theamericanquorum.com) says applicants must also be found program-eligible by KDADS and financially eligible for Medicaid by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Covered services include personal care, respite, behavior and rehabilitation therapies, assistive technology, remote supports, employment assistance, benefits planning, transportation, home and vehicle modifications, caregiver training and emergency-response systems. Participants may self-direct five services, including personal care, respite and nonmedical transportation. [CMS’s Kansas waiver description](https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/Waiver-Descript-Factsheet/KS?ref=theamericanquorum.com) confirms the service menu and that the program operates alongside Kansas’ managed-care authorities.

Families weighing the option face an important tradeoff. KDADS says people already on the comprehensive I/DD waiver waiting list will be processed before applicants who are not on that list. But a person who enrolls in the new waiver must give up their waiting-list position. Someone who later wants the more comprehensive I/DD waiver generally would have to rejoin that waitlist unless eligible through crisis or reserve capacity. The new program itself will not maintain a waitlist; when all slots are filled, the state will stop processing applications until capacity becomes available.

Federal approval is already final. [CMS lists the waiver as approved](https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/section-1115-demo/demonstration-and-waiver-list/193726?ref=theamericanquorum.com) July 1, effective October 1 and authorized through September 30, 2029\. The remaining state comment period concerns the policies that will govern implementation, not whether the federal waiver exists.

That distinction is important for commenters: the most useful feedback now will focus on enrollment, service definitions, provider qualifications and day-to-day administration. The federal eligibility framework and the [approved first-year projection of 500 participants](https://www.governor.ks.gov/Home/Components/News/News/1086/56?ref=theamericanquorum.com) are already part of the launch plan.

Prospective participants should use the next two weeks to compare the $20,000 service package with their current needs, discuss the consequences of leaving the I/DD waiting list with their community developmental disability organization and review the draft rules. Providers should also check enrollment and training requirements before the October launch. Public comments submitted by the September 24 deadline can still influence how Kansas administers the program at the point families begin using it.