PERSONAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM (PERS) PROVIDER IN KANSAS

Fatumata Kaba
Jul 24
4 min read

ENSURING SAFETY AND PEACE OF MIND THROUGH 24/7 EMERGENCY MONITORING AND ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Personal Emergency Response System (PERS) services in Kansas provide individuals with 24/7 access to emergency assistance through wearable or stationary devices. These services are essential for individuals who live alone, have chronic health conditions, or are at risk for falls or medical crises. Covered under Kansas Medicaid (KanCare), PERS is an authorized support under several Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) — Division of Health Care Finance

Role: Administers Medicaid reimbursement and provider enrollment for assistive technology and PERS vendors

Agency: Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)

Role: Establishes service definitions and participant eligibility criteria for PERS under HCBS waiver programs

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Regulates federal compliance for assistive technology and ensures medical necessity documentation

Agency: Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) under KanCare

Role: Authorize PERS devices and services, manage provider credentialing, and oversee care coordination and billing

2. SERVICE OVERVIEW

Personal Emergency Response Systems enable participants to quickly summon help during emergencies, supporting safe, independent living.

Approved PERS providers may deliver:

Installation of in-home base units and wearable alert devices (necklace, wristband, belt clip)
24/7 monitoring services through a staffed call center
GPS-enabled mobile alert systems for community or travel use
Automatic fall detection devices
Remote device testing and system maintenance
Participant and caregiver training on device use
Replacement or upgrade of malfunctioning units

All services must be tied to a documented need in the participant’s Individualized Service Plan (ISP) and accompanied by a physician’s order or waiver case manager’s approval.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register business with the Kansas Secretary of State
Obtain EIN and Type 2 NPI
Enroll with Kansas Medicaid via the Kansas Medical Assistance Program (KMAP)
Maintain general and product liability insurance
Establish contracts with a 24/7 monitoring center
Create a PERS Policies & Procedures Manual
Ensure data protection and HIPAA compliance for participant information
Provide participant training and emergency response documentation systems

4. KANSAS PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Step 1: Medicaid Enrollment

Apply as a PERS provider through KMAP under the Assistive Technology or Specialized Medical Equipment category
Complete MCO credentialing and network applications

Step 2: Documentation Submission

Provide proof of insurance, business registration, and monitoring center agreements
Submit PERS service protocol manual and quality assurance plans

Step 3: Authorization & Service Delivery

Obtain medical order or case manager approval
Submit a service authorization request to MCO
Deliver and install PERS device
Document participant training and initiate monitoring
Submit claims using appropriate HCPCS codes

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Kansas business license or Articles of Incorporation
IRS EIN and NPI confirmation
Liability and product insurance verification
24/7 monitoring center agreement
PERS Provider Policy & Procedure Manual, including:
- Installation and training protocols
- Emergency response workflows
- Device maintenance, repair, and tracking procedures
- HIPAA-compliant documentation system
- Participant consent, safety checklists, and usage logs
- Critical incident documentation and reporting
- Medicaid billing and compliance audit templates

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: PERS Installer / Technician

Requirements: Experience in technology or electronics installation; background clearance; customer service skills

Role: Monitoring Center Operator (outsourced or in-house)

Requirements: 24/7 staffing availability; crisis response training; system redundancy and data protection compliance

All staff must complete:

HIPAA and confidentiality training
Participant sensitivity and accessibility training
Emergency response and escalation procedures
Annual device and monitoring protocol reviews

7. MEDICAID PROGRAMS & HCBS WAIVERS

PERS is reimbursable under:

HCBS Waivers (when medically necessary and included in ISP):
- Frail Elderly (FE) Waiver
- Physical Disability (PD) Waiver
- Brain Injury (BI) Waiver
- Technology Assisted (TA) Waiver
- Intellectual/Developmental Disability (IDD) Waiver (limited use)

Delivery settings may include:

Participant’s private home
Assisted living facilities (when applicable and not already covered)
Community-based settings (for mobile units)

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Setup and Monitoring Contracts

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and MCO Credentialing

Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: Device Procurement and Staff Training

Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Launch of Installation and Monitoring Services

Timeline: 30–45 days

9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)

Website: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS)

Website: https://kdads.ks.gov

Kansas Medical Assistance Program (KMAP)

Website: https://www.kmap-state-ks.us

KanCare MCOs:

Sunflower Health Plan: https://www.sunflowerhealthplan.com
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan: https://www.uhccommunityplan.com/ks
Aetna Better Health of Kansas: https://www.aetnabetterhealth.com/kansas

PERSONAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM (PERS) PROVIDER IN KANSAS

WAIVER CONSULTING GROUP’S START-UP ASSISTANCE SERVICE — KANSAS PERS PROVIDER

WCG supports health tech vendors, HCBS agencies, and safety monitoring companies in launching Medicaid-compliant Personal Emergency Response System services across Kansas.

Scope of Work: