Kansas Medicaid and SCHIP Waivers
In September 2006, Kansas received approval from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a benchmark benefit for its Working Healthy Ticket to Work Medicaid Buy-In program. The benchmark benefit was approved as a state plan amendment under DRA authority. Working Healthy provides working individuals with disabilities who have incomes below 300 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL) the State Plan Medicaid coverage, in addition to the following benefits: personal assistance services, which can be self-directed or agency directed, including a “Cash and Counseling” model; assessment to determine personal assistance and related service needs; independent living counseling; and assistive services.
In May, 2008 Governor Sebelius signed legislation that will expand SCHIP coverage to children in households up to 250 percent of FPL once federal funding becomes available. Eligibility for pregnant women will also be expanded to 200 percent of FPL.
