DELIVERING INDIVIDUALIZED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT THROUGH THERAPEUTIC AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES

Behavioral Health Services in Kansas provide assessment, treatment, and support to individuals experiencing mental illness, emotional disorders, or behavioral challenges. These services are authorized through the Kansas Medicaid (KanCare) State Plan, the Habilitation Services Program, and select Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers. The goal is to enhance recovery, emotional well-being, and integration into the community.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) — Behavioral Health Services Division
Role: Oversees licensing of mental health providers, program oversight, and state-level service standards

Agency: Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) — Division of Health Care Finance
Role: Manages Medicaid provider enrollment, behavioral health billing, and Medicaid policy implementation

Agency: Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) under KanCare
Role: Authorize behavioral health services, coordinate care, and reimburse providers

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Role: Provides federal oversight ensuring Behavioral Health Services align with Medicaid managed care requirements and federal mental health parity standards

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2. BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICE OVERVIEW

Behavioral Health Services support individuals with mental illness through clinical, therapeutic, and recovery-focused interventions tailored to each individual’s needs.

Approved providers may deliver:

• Diagnostic evaluations and psychological assessments
• Individual, family, and group therapy
• Crisis intervention and 24/7 mobile crisis services
• Medication management and psychiatric services
• Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services (BHRS)
• Community Psychiatric Support and Treatment (CPST)
• Peer support and recovery coaching
• Behavioral support planning under HCBS programs
• Case management and care coordination

All services must align with an Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP) or Person-Centered Service Plan (PCSP) and be delivered by licensed or credentialed professionals.

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3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

• Register business with the Kansas Secretary of State
• Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
• Obtain Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) or Behavioral Health Organization (BHO) licensure from KDADS (if applicable)
• Enroll as a Medicaid provider through Kansas Medical Assistance Program (KMAP)
• Credential with KanCare MCOs
• Carry general liability, malpractice, and professional insurance
• Develop clinical, crisis, confidentiality, and quality assurance policies
• Ensure all staff are credentialed, background-checked, and trained in trauma-informed care

4. KANSAS PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Licensing and Credentialing:

• Apply for KDADS behavioral health facility license (if providing outpatient or facility-based care)
• Submit licensing documentation and pass program/facility readiness review

Medicaid and MCO Enrollment:

• Enroll with KMAP as a Behavioral Health Services provider
• Contract with KanCare MCOs: Sunflower, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna

Approval & Billing Setup:

• Upon approval, configure billing for therapy, rehab, psychiatry, and case management services using appropriate CPT/HCPCS codes

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

• Articles of Incorporation or Business License (Kansas Secretary of State)
• IRS EIN confirmation
• NPI confirmation
• KDADS Behavioral Health Facility License (if applicable)
• Proof of general liability and malpractice insurance

Behavioral Health Policy & Procedure Manual including:

• Assessment, treatment planning, and progress review procedures
• Documentation standards for all service types
• Emergency response and suicide prevention policies
• HIPAA compliance, participant rights, and grievance protocols
• Credentialing and supervision logs for licensed and unlicensed staff
• Medicaid billing documentation and audit-ready clinical records

6. STAFFING REQUIREMENTS

Role: Clinical Director / Behavioral Health Supervisor
Requirements: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), or Psychologist (PhD), supervisory experience required

Role: Therapists / Counselors
Requirements: Must hold Kansas license (LSCSW, LMFT, LPC, etc.), behavioral health training, background clearance

Role: Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners / Psychiatrists
Requirements: Licensed in Kansas, DEA registration, experience in psychiatric care

Role: Behavioral Health Technicians / Peer Support Specialists
Requirements: Certification (where applicable), supervision by licensed clinician, background check clearance

All staff must complete:

• HIPAA and confidentiality training
• Crisis response and suicide prevention protocols
• Trauma-informed care, cultural competency, and abuse prevention training
• Annual CEUs and performance evaluations

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7. MEDICAID STATE PLAN AND HCBS COVERAGE

Behavioral Health Services are covered under:

• KanCare Medicaid State Plan (for therapy, rehab, and psychiatric services)
• Habilitation Services Program

HCBS Waivers:

• Intellectual/Developmental Disability (IDD) Waiver
• Autism Waiver
• Brain Injury (BI) Waiver
• Technology Assisted (TA) Waiver
• Children’s Mental Health Support services

Covered services may include:

• Therapy and psychiatric treatment
• Behavioral intervention under ISP
• Peer mentoring and recovery support
• Crisis stabilization and rehab services
• Functional skill-building for community integration

8. TIMELINE TO LAUNCH

Phase: Business Registration, Facility Setup (if needed), and Policy Manual Development
Timeline: 1–2 months

Phase: Staff Hiring, Credentialing, and Licensure Application
Timeline: 2–3 months

Phase: Medicaid Enrollment and MCO Credentialing
Timeline: 60–90 days

Phase: Billing System Configuration and Program Launch
Timeline: 30–45 days

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9. CONTACT INFORMATION

Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) — Behavioral Health Services
Website: https://kdads.ks.gov

Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)
Website: https://www.kdhe.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

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10. SCOPE OF WORK

• Business registration, facility licensing, and Medicaid/MCO enrollment
• Development of Behavioral Health Services Policy & Procedure Manual
• Staff credentialing templates, clinical documentation logs, and assessment tools
• Medicaid billing setup and CPT/HCPCS code alignment
• Website, domain, and mental health branding
• Quality assurance systems for clinical audits, supervision logs, and care outcome tracking
• Referral network development with schools, hospitals, and crisis response teams

Waiver Consulting Group supports mental health providers, therapy clinics, and community behavioral health centers in launching Medicaid-compliant Behavioral Health Services across Kansas

To get started, click the link to request portal access