In terms of “market demand,” there’s no question that Kansas is a state in need of new addiction treatment centers. 

Overdose deaths rose by 25% in Kansas in 2020, slightly behind the national increase of 30% the nation as a whole experienced that year. Still, that doesn’t mean that that increase is trivial. In Kansas, almost 500 people died of drug-related overdose in 2020. Most overdose deaths in Kansas, as in the rest of the country, involved such drugs as methamphetamine, fentanyl, fentanyl analogs or prescription opioids. 

Kansas Has Made Some Policy Improvements in Response to the Addiction Crisis that Treatment Professionals Should Appreciate

In response to the increasing opioid crisis in Kansas, the state has made several big policy changes that addiction treatment community members should be aware of. The state is dispensing naloxone for free in most pharmacies through a state-federal partnership program and Kansas residents are now able to obtain free training in how to use the overdose antidote. Kansas has also begun offering MAT medications like buprenorphine for OUD patients incarcerated in the state. With a recent 2022 settlement to the tune of $190 million dollars with prescription opioid manufacturers, it’s likely we’ll see more programs like these beginning to take root in Kansas, as well.  

Still, there is room for policy improvement in Kansas. For example, Kansas has no so-called “Good Samaritan Law'' protecting people who seek help for those overdosing. In Kansas, you may risk criminal charges for drug use or possession in attempting to prevent an overdose death. 

All Addiction Treatment Centers in Kansas Must Get Licensed by the State 

According to the Standards for Licensure/Certification of Alcohol and/or Other Drug Abuse Treatment Programs, all addiction treatment programs in the state of Kansas must be licensed by the Secretary of Social and Rehabilitation Services.  

SECTION 8. LICENSURE/CERTIFICATION R03-801. General Requirements A. No persons shall establish, conduct, or maintain an alcohol or other drug abuse treatment program without first having obtained a license from the Secretary of Social and Rehabilitation Services, Division of Health Care Policy. 

You’ll Work With KDADS Behavioral Health Services to Get Your Addiction Treatment Center Licensed in Kansas 

Behavioral health providers in Kansas all work with KDADS (or the KansasDepartment for Aging and Disability Services) for licensing, supervision and monitoring.  KDADS offers both licensing and certification programs, depending on what your addiction treatment center requires. When you’re working on getting your license to operate an addiction treatment center in Kansas, you’ll specifically work with the Behavioral Health Licensing Division of the Survey, which is a subset of the larger Kansas State Certification and Credentialing Commission. All of these programs fall under the purview of KDADS. 

Before you begin your path towards licensure in Kansas, you’ll want to visit the Behavioral Health Licensing Dashboard that KDADS maintains online. You’ll find many useful forms and checklists to help you complete your application correctly the first time. 

The Fees for Addiction Treatment Center Licensing in Kansas Are Very Reasonable 

Good news! Unlike some states, where there are multiple different types of fees associated with licensure, often totaling in the thousands, Kansas keeps their fee structure simple and inexpensive for would-be treatment centers. 

There is only one type of fee in Kansas: the application fee. That fee is only $100. This is one of the lowest barriers to entry into the addiction treatment state licensing process in the United States. 

The Addiction Treatment Center Licensing Application in Kansas is Only Three Pages Long 

More good news: the application for licensure in Kansas is prudent from a public health standpoint, yet avoids over-burdening new addiction treatment centers with unnecessary red tape. 

The application for new addiction treatment centers in Kansas is three pages long and contains many of the same standard requirements you’ll find in state licensing programs across the country. The only requirements that are somewhat unusual are that Kansas requires all applicants to submit what amounts to a patient paperwork bundle and a clinical paperwork bundle. Most applicants should already have these forms on-hand, but for those still developing these documents, this requirement might present a hurdle to licensure.   

In Kansas, a complete addiction treatment center licensing application includes:

• Completed application 

• Application fee

• Policy and Procedure Manual 

• Staff list and Org Chart 

• Proof of safety inspection by state fire marshal 

• Client paperwork bundle, including client rights sheet, grievance policy, infectious disease info, confidentiality statement, fee schedule, treatment consent form, alcohol and drug testing release paperwork, if applicable 

• KCPC or copy of other program assessment tool 

• Copy of other clinical measures used 

• Clinical paperwork bundle, including: treatment plan, treatment plan update, discharge plan, discharge summary 

• ROI form 

Unlike some states, Kansas doesn’t require such extraneous documentation as: 

• Zoning paperwork 

• Site diagrams, floor plans or photos 

• Financial information 

• Staff resumes or bios 

• Staff background checks 

• Profit and loss projections 

Kansas is a Great State to Open an Addiction Treatment Center. What’s Your Next Step? 

Behave Health is committed to making it easier - and more profitable - to operate evidence-based, results-focused addiction treatment centers.

Our all-in-one app puts clinical, administration, staff, admissions, alumni, residents, treatment plans, billing, insurance authorizations and more - all at your fingertips.

Get your free trial started today and see why more addiction treatment centers prefer Behave Health.

Need help with certification? Behave Health can also help direct you to the right resources for help with Licensing or Accreditation by either The Joint Commission or CARF. Mention to your product specialist that you’re interested in this service after you start your free trial!