Important: Renew Your Medicaid Coverage in March

/in , /by

Due to COVID-19, KanCare renewals were paused but they are coming back. Renewals are starting again this year and notices will go out from March 2023 to March 2024. Please read the important instructions below to ensure you keep your coverage.

If you receive a letter from Medicaid, please respond immediately as you will have a narrow window to reply. You must reply or you will be removed from the Medicaid program. 

Steps to keeping your coverage:

1. Update your address

  •  Call the KanCare Clearinghouse at 1-800-792-4884. You can also call your MCO (number on the back of your KanCare card).
  • You can also updated your address online. Scan this code and use the KIERA chatbot to update your address.

2. Open your mail

  • Read any letters you get from KanCare.

3. Take action

  • Review and complete the renewal form if you receive it.

KanCare Flyer – English

KanCare Flyer – Spanish

 

How to help your members avoid a lapse in Medicaid coverage

Please remind the families and individuals you serve:

  • To make sure their address is updated with KanCare so they can receive their renewal notice; and,
  • To act quickly if they receive a renewal form to complete

How can a member update their address:

  • Calling the KanCare Clearinghouse at 1-800-792-4884; or,
  • Calling the MCO Member Services (number on the back of their KanCare card). UnitedHealthcare Member Services number is: 877-542-9238; or,
  • Using the chatbot that can be found on the bottom right corner of the kancare.ks.gov website. It looks like this:

How to know when to renew:

  • A member will know they need to renew when and if they receive a renewal form in the mail. Members with a linked online account can also see if they are due to renew under Access my Benefits.
  • Members can also call their MCO Member Services (number on the back of their KanCare card) to ask when is their renewal date.

If the member no longer qualifies for Medicaid:

  • Visit healthcare.gov to learn more about coverage options available.

How can a member renew:

By mail

  • Members will have to review, complete, and sign the renewal form received from the state. It is a good idea to make a copy for their records, then mail it back in the self-addressed envelope.
  • The form can also be faxed to: 1-844-264-6285

Online

  • Visit applyforkancare.ks.gov
  • The member can log in to their account or create one, then make sure the account is linked to their case number. If not linked to a case number, send a request through the online portal to have their case linked to the account. The case number can be found on the notice received from KanCare. The member can also call the KanCare Clearinghouse to request the case number. UnitedHealthcare members can also call Member Services at 1-877-542-9238.
  • If their case is ready to be renewed, they will see a link to Renew my Benefits under Access my Benefits.

If unable to renew by mail or online, call the KanCare Clearinghouse at 1-800=792-4884 to discuss other available options to submit the renewal form.

KanCare Flyer 

Kearny County Hospital Receives High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier Recognition

/in , /by

 

Lakin, KS – Kearny County Hospital has continued its commitment to improving infant and maternal health by earning recognition through High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier, a program developed by the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund to increase breastfeeding initiation and duration rates in Kansas.

High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier provides resources and a framework to help Kansas hospitals and birth facilities implement ten evidence-based practices proven to support successful breastfeeding, improving maternal and infant health outcomes while also reducing racial and ethnic health disparities.

To obtain High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier recognition, each facility is asked to complete a voluntary and self-reported evaluation and to follow all ten of the evidence-based practices:

  1. Facility will have a written maternity care and infant feeding policy that addresses all ten High 5 for Mom & Baby practices supporting breastfeeding
  2. Facility will maintain staff competency in lactation support
  3. All pregnant women will receive information and instruction on breastfeeding
  4. Assure immediate and sustained skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby after birth
  5. All families will receive individualized infant feeding counseling
  6. Give newborn infants no food or drink other than breastmilk unless medically indicated
  7. Practice “rooming in” – allow mothers and infants to remain together 24 hours a day
  8. Families will be encouraged to feed their babies when the baby exhibits feeding cues, regardless of feeding methods
  9. Give no pacifiers or artificial nipples to breastfeeding infants
  10. Provide mothers options for breastfeeding support in the community (such as a telephone number, walk-in clinic information, support groups, etc.) upon discharge

“Breastfeeding plays a crucial role in the overall health of babies and mothers,” stated Katie Schoenhoff, Director of Programs at the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. “Following the ten High 5 for Mom & Baby practices demonstrates Kearny County Hospital’s commitment to infant and maternal health by helping moms successfully initiate and maintain breastfeeding.”

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), 60% of mothers stopped breastfeeding sooner than they planned. Some factors that influence how long or if a baby is breastfed include: hospital practices, education and encouragement, policies or support in the workplace, and access to community support – which is why High 5 for Mom & Baby facilities are committed to helping women breastfeed successfully, through staff trained in breastfeeding best practices and policies to help mothers meet their breastfeeding goals.

Along with the recognition of being named a High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier facility, Kearny County Hospital also receives ongoing education and training opportunities, support and resources through a community of delivery centers, and scholarship opportunities to further staff education.

“Breastfeeding provides numerous health benefits for both infants and mothers, and we’re honored to receive this recognition from the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund for our efforts to support successful breastfeeding initiation and maintenance. As a facility committed to providing the very highest quality of care, we have found the High 5 practices and resources to not only improve health outcomes but also increase patient satisfaction,” said Becky Chappel, RN, Perinatal Supervisor at Kearny County Hospital’s Special Blessings Family Birth Center.

For more information on High 5 for Mom & Baby Premier, contact Cara Gerhardt, Program Coordinator: coordinator@high5kansas.org, or visit the website at https://www.high5kansas.org/.