Take a breath.
You just learned your mom (or dad) can't live alone anymore. Your head is spinning. You don't know where to start.
Here's the good news: Kansas has a program that can help pay for the care your parent needs. It's called KanCare. You don't have to figure all of this out today.
This page walks you through what to know, in plain words.
What is KanCare?
KanCare is the name for Kansas Medicaid. It's the state and federal program that helps pay for care for people who can't afford it on their own.
For seniors who need help every day — bathing, dressing, meals, or memory care — KanCare has a special program called the Frail Elderly Waiver. People also call it the FE Waiver or HCBS Waiver. They all mean the same thing.
What does it pay for?
The Frail Elderly Waiver helps pay for care so your parent can stay out of a nursing home as long as possible. It can cover:
- A caregiver who comes to the house
- Adult day care
- Help with personal care (bathing, dressing, eating)
- A medical alert button for emergencies
- Medication reminders
- Care inside an assisted living place or adult foster home
If your parent needs full nursing home care, regular KanCare can pay for that too.
One important thing: The waiver does not pay for rent, food, or room and board at an assisted living place. It pays for the care part, not the living part.
Who qualifies?
Three things have to be true.
1. Age and need. Your parent must be 65 or older and need the kind of care a nursing home gives. A nurse will visit and ask questions to decide this.
2. Income. In 2026, a single person can have up to $2,982 a month coming in. That includes Social Security, pensions, everything. Married couples have different rules that protect the spouse who is still healthy.
3. Savings. This is the part that surprises most families. A single person can only have $2,000 in the bank, in stocks, or in other savings. Married couples can keep $3,000 combined. The house your parent lives in does not count, as long as it's worth less than $752,000.
How do you apply?
You do two things at the same time. Don't wait on one to start the other.
Step 1: Apply for KanCare. Go online to applyforkancare.ks.gov or call 1-800-792-4884. Check the box that says you need Home and Community Based Services.
Step 2: Call the ADRC. Call 1-855-200-2372. This is the Aging and Disability Resource Center. They send a nurse to check what kind of care your parent needs. This is called a functional assessment. You need both steps to get the waiver.
What papers do you need?
Start gathering these now. It saves weeks later.
- Social Security card
- Medicare card
- Birth certificate or photo ID
- Proof of all income (Social Security letter, pension statements)
- Bank statements going back 60 months — yes, five years
- Life insurance policies
- The deed to the house, if they own one
- Any pre-paid funeral or burial papers
How long does it take?
Plan on two to four months. Sometimes longer. The five-year bank review takes time. Don't be surprised if you have to send the same paper twice.
One thing many families don't know: Kansas only accepts a set number of people into the waiver each year. There may be a waiting list. Apply as early as possible — even before you think you're ready.
Things that surprise families
- The 5-year lookback. Kansas reviews every dollar your parent moved or gave away in the last 60 months. Gifts to grandkids, or selling the house cheap to family, can cause a denial or a long delay.
- Don't spend down without a plan. Talk to a Kansas elder law attorney before moving any money. One wrong move can cost months of help.
- Married couples have protected savings. If only one spouse is applying, Kansas has rules that allow the healthy spouse at home to keep a portion of the couple's combined assets. Ask about this — it surprises most families.
- Assisted living rent isn't covered. The waiver pays for care services, not the apartment.
- Nobody calls back fast. Keep a notebook. Write down every name, date, and what was said.
You don't have to do this alone
Call the ADRC first: 1-855-200-2372. They walk Kansas families through this every day. It's free.
Then take a breath. You're already doing the hard part — showing up.
Unfamiliar with a term? Visit our Medicaid Glossary for plain-English definitions written for Kansas City families.
Ready to Get Organized?
Now that you understand KanCare, this workbook walks you through every document, every deadline, and every step — so nothing falls through the cracks.