Kansas - Housing Stabilization — Licensing, Medicaid Enrollment and Startup Requirements

Last reviewed: 2026-09-10

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) does not offer a standalone "Housing Stabilization" or "Tenancy Support" service under its KanCare Medicaid program. Instead, housing search, landlord mediation, and retention planning are bundled into Supported Living under the Intellectual and Developmental Disability (I/DD) waiver and Targeted Case Management (TCM) across multiple waiver populations.

Approval to provide these tenancy-supporting services requires passing the KDADS HCBS Settings Final Rule compliance screening and affiliating with one of the state's Community Developmental Disability Organizations (CDDOs) or Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs). Providers cannot enroll directly in the Kansas Medical Assistance Program (KMAP) for these services without first securing this local network affiliation and completing the KDADS Provider Readiness Assessment.

1. Service Definition and Scope

Because Kansas does not license a distinct Housing Stabilization service, providers must deliver these supports through existing waiver services. Supported Living and Targeted Case Management are the primary vehicles for assisting KanCare members with housing needs.

These services encompass the core elements of tenancy support, including locating affordable housing, negotiating with landlords, and developing retention plans, but they are embedded within broader care plans rather than billed as standalone housing codes.

• Service Proxy 1: Supported Living under the I/DD Waiver, which includes assistance with acquiring and retaining housing.
• Service Proxy 2: Targeted Case Management (TCM), which includes assessing housing needs and connecting members to community housing resources.
• Excluded Activities: Direct payment of rent, security deposits, or utilities (these may be covered separately under Transitional Assistance for eligible waivers).
• Target Population: KanCare members enrolled in the I/DD waiver or those meeting Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) criteria.

2. Regulatory and Oversight Agencies

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) manages the HCBS waivers and licenses community service providers. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) serves as the single state Medicaid agency.

Provider enrollment and claims processing are handled by the Kansas Medical Assistance Program (KMAP), while day-to-day service authorization is managed by the three KanCare Managed Care Organizations (MCOs).

• Operating Agency: Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) (https://www.kdads.ks.gov/)
• Medicaid Agency: Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) (https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/)
• Fiscal Agent: Kansas Medical Assistance Program (KMAP) (https://www.kmap-state-ks.us/)
• Local Gatekeepers: Community Developmental Disability Organizations (CDDOs) (https://www.kdads.ks.gov/services-programs/long-term-services-supports/home-and-community-based-services-hcbs/cddo)

3. Gatekeeping Prerequisites: Who Can Even Apply

Kansas employs a strict local gatekeeping model for I/DD and mental health services. Providers cannot simply apply to the state to offer Supported Living or TCM; they must first be accepted into a local network.

Additionally, KDADS enforces strict HCBS Settings Final Rule compliance before any Medicaid enrollment application is accepted.

• CDDO Affiliation Agreement: Required local contract; KDADS will not accept an I/DD Supported Living provider application without an active affiliation with the regional CDDO.
• HCBS Settings Final Rule Compliance: Providers must pass Screening I (Provider Readiness Assessment) via the KDADS HCBS Compliance Portal prior to KMAP enrollment.
• CMHC Subcontracting: For mental health TCM, providers typically must operate as or subcontract under a state-designated Community Mental Health Center.
• KanCare MCO Contracting: Providers must secure contracts with Sunflower Health Plan, Aetna Better Health of Kansas, or UnitedHealthcare Community Plan to receive member referrals.

4. Licensure and Certification Requirements

Providers offering Supported Living must obtain a Community Service Provider (CSP) license from the KDADS Survey, Certification and Credentialing Commission.

The licensure process includes a thorough review of organizational policies, background check procedures, and compliance with state regulations regarding member rights and safety.

• License Type: KDADS Community Service Provider (CSP) license for I/DD Supported Living.
• Application Portal: KDADS HCBS Provider portal.
• HCBS Compliance Certificate: Required annually for 100% of settings considered provider-owned or controlled.
• Background Check Clearance: Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) and Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) clearances required prior to licensure.

5. Medicaid Provider Enrollment

Once licensed and affiliated with a CDDO, providers must enroll in the Kansas Medical Assistance Program (KMAP).

Enrollment is conducted entirely online through the KMAP Provider Enrollment Portal and requires submission of all local affiliations and state licenses.

• System: KMAP Provider Enrollment Portal (https://www.kmap-state-ks.us/).
• Provider Type/Specialty: Type 08 (HCBS), Specialty 185 (Supported Living) or 119 (TCM).
• Application Fee: Subject to the federal ACA application fee unless waived by concurrent Medicare enrollment.
• NPI Requirement: Must obtain a Type 2 Organizational NPI from NPPES before initiating the KMAP application.

6. Staffing, Training and Background Checks

Direct support professionals providing tenancy-related supports must meet KDADS minimum qualifications and pass comprehensive background screenings.

Agencies are responsible for maintaining training records and ensuring staff complete required modules before working independently with KanCare members.

• Minimum Age: Direct support workers must be at least 18 years old.
• Education: High school diploma or GED required for Supported Living staff.
• Background Checks: Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) criminal record check and Adult/Child Abuse Registry checks.
• Training: Must complete KDADS-approved abuse, neglect, and exploitation (ANE) training and person-centered planning training.

7. Documentation, Policies and Records

Kansas requires strict adherence to the Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP). All housing support activities must be explicitly authorized in this plan.

Providers must maintain detailed daily logs that justify the units billed and demonstrate progress toward the member's housing goals.

• Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP): Must document the specific housing goals, authorized units, and the provider responsible.
• Daily Activity Logs: Must record start/stop times, specific housing-related activities performed, and the member's response.
• HCBS Settings Documentation: Proof of member rights, privacy, and lease agreements if the member resides in provider-controlled housing.
• Record Retention: Must keep all clinical and billing records for a minimum of 5 years per KMAP policy.

8. Billing, Rates and Claims

Because services are managed by KanCare, claims are submitted directly to the member's assigned Managed Care Organization (MCO) rather than the state.

Providers must secure prior authorization from the MCO before initiating any billable housing support activities.

• Billing System: Claims submitted via MCO clearinghouses (Sunflower, Aetna, UHC).
• Procedure Code (I/DD): T2017 for Supported Living.
• Procedure Code (TCM): T1017 for Targeted Case Management.
• Prior Authorization: Required from the member's KanCare MCO before initiating services.

9. Approval Sequence and Timeline

Becoming a fully approved provider for these services in Kansas is a sequential process that typically takes 4 to 6 months.

Delays most commonly occur during the local CDDO affiliation phase or the MCO credentialing phase.

• Step 1: Obtain CDDO affiliation agreement (1-2 months).
• Step 2: Complete KDADS HCBS Settings Screening I (2-4 weeks).
• Step 3: Apply for KDADS CSP Licensure (60-90 days).
• Step 4: Submit KMAP Enrollment Application (30-45 days).
• Step 5: Credential and contract with KanCare MCOs (60-90 days).

10. Common Denials and Survey Findings

KDADS and the KanCare MCOs conduct regular audits of HCBS providers. Failure to maintain compliance can result in payment recoupment or license suspension.

Most application denials stem from attempting to bypass the local CDDO gatekeeper.

• Missing CDDO Affiliation: KMAP applications are rejected immediately if the local CDDO agreement is absent.
• Settings Rule Violations: Failing to demonstrate integration or member autonomy in housing choices during KDADS surveys.
• Documentation Gaps: Billing for housing search activities without corresponding detailed daily notes.
• Unqualified Staff: Using staff who have not cleared the KBI or abuse registry checks prior to client contact.

11. Key Contacts and Resources

Prospective providers should begin by contacting their regional CDDO and reviewing the KDADS HCBS provider manuals.

The KMAP portal and MCO provider relations departments are essential for enrollment and billing guidance.

• KDADS HCBS Programs: https://www.kdads.ks.gov/services-programs/long-term-services-supports/home-and-community-based-services-hcbs-programs
• KMAP Provider Portal: https://www.kmap-state-ks.us/
• KDHE Medicaid: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/
• Sunflower Health Plan: https://www.sunflowerhealthplan.com/

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