Choices in Consumer Services

Make an array of high-quality supports and services available to Kansas seniors and other individuals.

KDOA has compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers about issues facing seniors. To find out more click on the topic:

More than 300 Senior Health Insurance Counseling for Kansas volunteers, working through 16 regional sponsoring organizations across the state, help Kansans understand their Medicare benefits. SHICK counselors provide information andassistance with Medicare claims and appeals, Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D), Medicare supplemental insurance (Medigap) policies, and long-term care financing and options. SHICK counselors also help eligible consumers access the assistance programs offered by pharmaceutical companies to reduce medication costs.

The SMP program educates Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and providersabout health care error, fraud and abuse. SMP collaborates with community-based organizations across thestate to recruit retired professionals and train them as volunteer educators.Through the partnering organizations, volunteers create a statewide net-work of fraud experts who educate beneficiaries about recognizing healthcare fraud/abuse and reporting it.

KDOA was awarded a three-year grant from the Administration on Aging (AoA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop an Aging and Disability Resource Center in Kansas. ADRCs streamline access to program information, applica-tion processes and eligibility determination for all aging anddisability services. ADRCs are being developed in 43 statesand territories to create consumer-focused, consolidatedaccess to long-term support services. In Kansas, the ADRCproject will collaborate closely with the Real Choice Sys-tems Transformation project as well as other establishedprojects focused on improving access to community services.

KDOA assists communities to plan for and better serve seniors of today and the future. Seniors benefit through collaboration among local leaders, businesses, organizations andgovernment agencies through projects in the six Lifelong areas: Business, Community Service, Health Care, Housing, Transportation and Government.

Read about the Lifelong Community Program.

Special Projects Grants are designed to provide either education/training or research for the prevention of elder abuse, neglect, exploitation; or astudy of the nature or extent of financial exploitation of the elderly. Throughan annual request-for-proposal process, KDOA grants the funds to a vari-ety of agencies and organizations. The grant period is June 1, 2006, through May 31, 2007.

Access Services provide seniors with community services, such as Information and Assistance (receivingcurrent information from KDOA and AAAs regarding opportunitiesand services), Case Management (determining types and amounts ofservices needed), Legal Services (providing seniors access to legaladvice and representation) and Transportation (assisting an individualto get to a location where services are provided).
In-Home Services help seniors remain in their homes and communi-ties and include attendant care services, homemaker services, respitecare and adult day care.
Community Services are designed for seniors with the ability totravel to the point of service and encourage seniors to remain activemembers of the community. Services are provided either directly by the AAA or under contract or grantby other agencies.

The Kansas Department on Aging (KDOA) is the state's focal point for aging services and information. The department administers federal and state programs to assist the senior population of Kansas. KDOA also acts as an advocate and coordinator to ensure that state services meet the needs of seniors in the most effective manner. To find out more, click on the program you are interested in.

There are a number of places you can contact for help and information about programs and services. Here is some information you may find interesting.

The Client Assessment, Referral and Evaluation program was created in 1994 by the Kansas Legislature.The goals of the CARE program were established as an assessment to provide customers individualizedinformation on long-term care options, determine appropriate placements in long-term care facilities and col-lect data regarding individuals being assessed for possible nursing facility placement. Read the current State Fiscal Year Client Assessment & Referral Program Annual Report for more information.

The KDOA auditors perform desk reviews and field audits on nursing home cost reports to ensure that reimbursement rates for Medicaid residents are in compliance with state and federal regulations and policies. The auditors perform financial compliance reviews of other programs funded by KDOA as required.

Audits done: In SFY 2006, 345 Medicaid cost reports were desk reviewed and 60 nursing home field audits werecompleted. Also, field work was completed on two large nursing home chains (38 facilities). The single auditreports were reviewed for the 11 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) and other large service providers.