Federal Panel Says KanCare Should be Delayed December 17, 2013

(AP) – A federal panel says the KanCare takeover of long-term services for the developmentally disabled should be delayed.

KanCare, the state’s privatized program for the poor and disabled, is scheduled to begin providing those services Jan. 1. However, it needs a waiver from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services by Jan. 1.

The National Council on Disability is recommending that Medicaid delay the waiver for one year. The panel says the state has not adequately considered concerns raised by clients, guardians and service providers about the expansion.

The Wichita Eagle reports the state Department for Aging and Disability Services officials disagreed with the panel’s recommendations. They say the panel didn’t spend enough time in Kansas to understand the safeguards KanCare has to protect the rights of the disabled.

Progress Report on Kan Care Due Today November 25, 2013

(AP) – A legislative oversight committee is scheduled to receive a status report on changes made to the Kansas Medicaid program and services for the developmentally disabled.

Monday’s meeting will look at issues related to the state’s KanCare system that began implementation in 2012 and took effect earlier this year. Kansas has contracted with three managed-care organizations to administer Medicaid programs for the elderly, poor and disabled.

Among those scheduled to appear are representatives from several developmentally disabled and community-based service providers.

Legislators also will receive an update on the state’s health insurance marketplace from the insurance commissioner’s office. Kansas elected not to establish a state-run exchange to implement the federal health care law and is using the federal exchange that was developed