Starting the journey toward brain injury recovery and independence is a major milestone, but we know the administrative side can feel like navigating a maze.
At Minds Matter, our goal is to help you or your loved one access specialized, community-based therapies and support. However, several foundational pieces must be established through the State of Kansas.
To help make this process as smooth and transparent as possible, here is a step-by-step roadmap of what needs to happen before Minds Matter therapy services can begin.
Step 1: Secure Disability Status (SSDI or SSI)
For any adult applying for Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid waivers in Kansas, establishing disability status with the federal government is required.
To meet this requirement, you must have one of the following in place:
- Active Benefit Payments: You are currently receiving federal disability dollars through either Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
- An Active Application: You have a formal, active application for SSDI or SSI currently under review with the Social Security Administration.
Because Social Security applications can take time to process, getting this application submitted as early as possible is crucial to keeping the rest of your care timeline on track.
Step 2: Submit Your Kansas Medicaid Application
Once your disability status or application is established, the next phase is securing KanCare (Kansas Medicaid).
Medicaid eligibility for the Brain Injury Waiver is determined by the state based on two main criteria:
- Financial Eligibility: Income and asset checks conducted through the state clearinghouse to ensure you qualify for state-funded healthcare benefits.
- Medical/Functional Need: Verification that your care needs meet the threshold for state-supported long-term services.
You must apply for Medicaid and receive formal financial and medical approval before waiver funds can be allocated for your care.
Step 3: Complete the Brain Injury (BI) Determination
The final gateway to receiving specialized brain injury waiver services is the formal BI determination process. This step requires two key pieces:
A. Medical Documentation
You must provide medical records from a qualified healthcare provider confirming a diagnosis of an acquired or traumatic brain injury.
Note: If official historical medical records are unavailable, a qualified healthcare provider can complete a state-approved eligibility attestation form on your behalf to confirm the diagnosis.
B. Functional Assessment
You will schedule and complete an official one-on-one Brain Injury Assessment through your local Kansas Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). An assessor will evaluate daily functional needs, abilities, and goals to ensure the BI Waiver is the appropriate level of care.
Step 4: Final State Review & Minds Matter Onboarding
Once your disability status, Medicaid approval, medical records, and ADRC assessment are submitted, everything goes to the State of Kansas for final review.
When the state officially approves placement on the Kansas Brain Injury Waiver, your assigned Managed Care Organization (your Medicaid insurance company) will help establish your plan of care. From there, Minds Matter can officially step in to begin providing direct, one-on-one therapy and independent living support.
You Don’t Have to Do It Alone: How Our Intake Team Helps
While these steps require patience and active participation, you don’t have to navigate the paperwork alone. Our Minds Matter Intake Coordination Team is here to partner with you and guide you through the process every step of the way.
Here is how our Intake Team can support you:
- Social Security Guidance: We can help you schedule your Social Security interview or walk you through setting up your online Social Security portal if you prefer to apply digitally.
- Medicaid Application Assistance: We assist you with filling out your KanCare application accurately to ensure nothing gets missed, and we help track its status with the state once submitted.
- Medical Record Gathering: We can help identify, request, and organize the medical records or provider attestations needed to prove waiver eligibility.
- Navigating the ADRC: We can help connect you with your local Aging and Disability Resource Center to initiate your one-on-one brain injury assessment.
Think of our intake team as your tour guide! We provide the map, support, and administrative guidance so you can focus on what matters most: preparing for your recovery journey.
