Important Changes Coming to KanCare Eligibility
Do you or a family member currently have health coverage through Kansas Medicaid (KanCare) or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)? If so, there are important changes on the horizon you should be aware of, and actions you may need to take to avoid loss in coverage.
In December, Congress passed its year-end omnibus spending bill, which delinked the Medicaid continuous coverage requirement from the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), established that Medicaid terminations will resume starting April 1, 2023.
The continuous coverage requirement has required states to maintain Medicaid coverage for most enrollees — and barred terminations — since March 2020. On April 1, 2023, states will resume reviewing all Medicaid enrollees’ eligibility — a process often called “unwinding” — and will begin ending coverage for those found ineligible.
Soon, states will resume Medicaid and CHIP eligibility reviews. This means some people with KanCare or CHIP may get renewal notices or requests for information form the KanCare Clearinghouse.
Here are some things you can do to prepare:
- Make sure your address is up to date
- Make sure the KanCare Clearinghouse has your current mailing address, phone number, email or other contact information. Call 1-800-792-4884 or go to their website to update the Clearinghouse if your contact information has changed. This way, they’ll be able to contact you about your KanCare or CHIP coverage.
- Check your mail
- The KanCare Clearinghouse will mail you a letter about your KanCare or CHIP coverage. This letter will also let you know if you need to complete a renewal form to see if you still qualify for KanCare or CHIP. If you get a renewal form, fill it out and return it right away. This may help you avoid a gap in your coverage.
Get more information:
- Contact the KanCare Clearinghouse at 1-800-792-4884 or visit KanCare.ks.gov for more information about KanCare or CHIP renewal.
- Call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596 to get details about Marketplace coverage. TTY users can call 1-855-889-4325.
KanCare Assistance at Heartland
Heartland Community Health Center provides Medicaid eligibility assistance for patients through A Compass Project.
“As the Insurance Eligibility Coordinator for Heartland, I conduct over the phone screenings to see how I can help each patient individually find eligibly for Medicaid, The Affordable Care Act, Delta Dental Community Benefit Plan and more,” said Mitzi Robinson. “If I find Medicaid eligibility for minor children, parents, and pregnant women I can provide same-day KanCare coverage through Presumptive Eligibility as a consultant for KDHE.
In addition to helping Heartland patients with insurance eligibility, Robinson also serves as the manager of A Compass Project, assisting with Medicaid applications until approval is granted through KanCare.
“A Compass Project does exactly what our name says, we provide community resource navigation as needed throughout the screening process,” said Robinson. “Each patient we are in contact with will receive an individual screening as each person’s household and medical needs are different.”
Screenings can be requested by calling (785) 856-2631 or by provider referral.
A Compass Project is available from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday thru Friday. The public can schedule an in-person appointment from 10 a.m. – noon, each weekday.
