Medicaid Functional Eligibility Instrument (MFEI)

The RTC/IL partnered with KU's Center for Research on Aging and Disability Options (CRADO) to develop a Medicaid Functional Eligibility Instrument for the state of Kansas, along with a training program for assessors.

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) contracted with CRADO to develop a Medicaid Functional Eligibility Instrument. The MFEI will be used to determine eligibility and support needs for Medicaid Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) for customers who have physical disabilities (PD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), or who are frail elders (FE). The nursing home population will also be included. Staff from the KU Medical Center are also partnering on this project.

Project Description

A universal, standardized assessment is a critical tool for streamlining access to care for people seeking services. A well-designed assessment instrument can be used to not only determine eligibility for public programs, but may also provide other functions such as care planning, data collection, rate setting and quality assurance. A universal assessment can also: promote choice for customers when the assessment determines eligibility for multiple programs; reduce administrative burdens by decreasing the need for staff to perform multiple assessments; promote equity by using the same assessment criteria for all individuals in need of services; and capture standardized data that will help policymakers analyze program effectiveness.