Waiver Consulting Group — Start any program. In any state.

Kansas - Home Health Service — Licensing, Medicaid Enrollment and Startup Requirements

Last reviewed: 2026-09-10

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) licenses Home Health Agencies providing skilled nursing and therapy under K.A.R. 28-51-104. Agencies must secure this state license and, for most skilled Medicaid reimbursement, achieve Medicare certification before applying to the Kansas Medical Assistance Program (KMAP) for Medicaid enrollment.

Approval requires submitting the Skilled Services HHA Application to KDHE, passing a desk review of agency policies via KDHE's online document transfer system, and demonstrating compliance with the HCBS Settings Final Rule through the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) HCBS Compliance Portal if billing waiver codes.

1. Service Definition and Scope

In Kansas, a Home Health Agency (HHA) providing Skilled Services delivers intermittent skilled nursing, physical therapy, and other medical services to patients in their place of residence. These services must be ordered by a physician, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or physician assistant.

Under K.A.R. 28-51-104, skilled home health services require a written plan of care developed by a registered nurse or physical therapist based on a comprehensive patient assessment.

2. Regulatory and Oversight Agencies

KDHE is the primary licensing body for all Home Health Agencies in Kansas, handling initial applications, policy reviews, and license issuance. The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) oversees HCBS waiver compliance and surveys.

Medicaid enrollment and claims are managed by the Kansas Medical Assistance Program (KMAP), which operates the state's MMIS in partnership with Gainwell Technologies.

3. Gatekeeping Prerequisites: Who Can Even Apply

Kansas does not require a Certificate of Need (CON) for Home Health Agencies. However, an agency cannot enroll in KMAP as a skilled home health provider without first obtaining a KDHE Skilled Services HHA license.

For agencies intending to bill HCBS waiver codes, providers must pass Screening I (Provider Readiness Assessment) of the KDADS HCBS Compliance Portal prior to KMAP enrollment.

4. Licensure and Certification Requirements

Applicants must submit the KDHE Skilled Services HHA Application along with a nonrefundable licensing fee, a Skilled Services Attestation form, and release of information forms. Following initial submission, KDHE issues credentials for an online document transfer system.

Through this portal, the agency must upload its operational policies, administrator resumes, and employee qualification templates for a comprehensive desk review before the license is granted.

5. Medicaid Provider Enrollment

Once licensed by KDHE and Medicare-certified, the agency applies to KMAP using the Provider Enrollment portal. The agency must select the appropriate provider type and specialty for Home Health.

Providers billing HCBS codes must also demonstrate certification of compliance through the KDADS HCBS Compliance Portal on an annual basis.

6. Staffing, Training and Background Checks

Skilled HHAs must maintain strict clinical staffing availability. A registered nurse must be available or on-call during all hours that home health services are provided.

All personnel must undergo background checks, and personnel records must document all training received, qualifications, performance evaluations, and background clearance.

7. Documentation, Policies and Records

K.A.R. 28-51-104 mandates specific written policies and clinical recordkeeping. Agencies must maintain a clinical record for each patient that includes progress notes and the physician-ordered plan of care.

Agencies must also have a written policy indicating who can administer medications and procedures ensuring all personnel maintain communication with the supervising RN or PT.

8. Billing, Rates and Claims

Claims are submitted to KMAP or the respective Managed Care Organization (MCO) depending on the member's enrollment. Skilled nursing and therapy visits are billed using standard revenue codes and HCPCS codes.

Prior authorization is frequently required for extended visits or specific HCBS waiver services. Rates are published on the KMAP provider fee schedules.

9. Approval Sequence and Timeline

The process begins with submitting the KDHE application and fee. KDHE then provides portal access for policy uploads. The desk review timeline depends on the completeness of the submitted policies.

After KDHE licensure, Medicare certification surveys are conducted. Finally, KMAP enrollment takes 30-60 days, followed by MCO credentialing which can take an additional 90-120 days.

10. Common Denials and Survey Findings

KDHE applications are frequently delayed when agencies fail to submit comprehensive policies that meet all requirements of K.A.R. 28-51-104, particularly regarding medication administration and care plan reviews.

During surveys, common citations include failure to conduct the required two-week supervisory visits, incomplete personnel files missing background check clearances, and care plans not updated every 60 days.

11. Key Contacts and Resources

Providers should utilize the KDHE Home Health Agency Helpline for licensure questions and the KMAP portal for enrollment and billing resources.

For HCBS waiver compliance and settings rules, providers must interface with KDADS and utilize the HCBS Compliance Portal.

See all Kansas services · Kansas Medicaid consulting · book a consultation.