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To: WIC Local Agencies
From: Kansas WIC Program
Date: August 19, 2025
If you have any questions, please include both Annette Moreno and Casey Florea on your emails.
The policies and forms to implement Medicaid as the primary payer of infant and children special formula are now active. This Policy Memo is the formal notification of policy changes.
In September 2015 the USDA released WIC Policy Memorandum #2015-07 clarifying that WIC state agencies must coordinate with state Medicaid programs and that Medicaid is the primary payer for exempt infant formulas and medical foods.
Revised, effective August 2025 as indicated on the policies.
CRT 10.05.00 Transfers Using a Non-contract or Special Formula
FCI 02.01.05 Infant Food Packages – Special Formula
FCI 02.02.01 Child Food Packages – Special Formula
FCI 02.06.00 Direct Shipments of Specialized Formula
KanCare/Medicaid is now the primary provider for special formula for WIC infants and children with an inherited error of metabolism (IEM), specified gastrointestinal disorders or specified malabsorption disorders who are also KanCare members. WIC staff are not expected to diagnose or understand if a condition meets this criteria - that falls under the role of the health provider and KanCare to determine.
Kansas WIC is the secondary payer and will provide special formula when the formula meets WIC requirements and a client (1) is not on Kancare, (2) has KanCare but their formula is not covered, (3) are in the process of applying for KanCare, or (4) are waiting for KanCare to process their formula request.
The Kansas Medical Assistance Program (KMAP) posted a bulletin informing providers that this policy is in effect.
KanCare’s special formula process is different from WIC. Instead of having a list of approved formulas, KanCare first looks to see if the diagnosis identified by the doctor is covered in their policy.
Policies FCI 02.01.05 and FCI 02.02.01 explain in more detail what actions WIC staff should take.
WIC staff should:
- Provide the client handout available in English and Spanish to notify clients of the change and outline the steps they should take
- Instruct caregivers of clients enrolled in KanCare who are currently receiving special formula through WIC to coordinate with their health care provider to request the formula through KanCare.
- Refer clients to KanCare who are eligible but not enrolled and have not recently applied. WIC staff may issue the special formula to clients while their application is being processed one month at a time. Add alert “KanCare formula pending”.
- Inform caregivers that clients cannot receive formula from both KanCare and WIC unless KanCare provides less than the WIC federal maximum monthly amount, in which WIC can provide the difference.
- Encourage WIC participation and inform caregivers of clients receiving formula from KanCare that they can still receive other WIC benefits.
Communication about KanCare eligible formulas should usually be between the caregiver, and health provider or KanCare. The Rights and Responsibilities does allow WIC staff to communicate with KanCare to share needed health information.
Forms found on the WIC Forms & Administrative Materials Page
Revised Special Issuance Authorization (SIA) Forms
Special Authorization – Infants and Children
Special Authorization - Women
The infants and children SIA form has been updated to include information on KanCare coverage of special formulas for medical providers. Both forms have been updated with the removal of the Local Agency section at the bottom of the form.
Client Handout
KanCare Client Handout
KanCare Cobertura de formula Especial
The client handout has been developed in English and Spanish to provide to clients.
Revised Direct Ship Order Form
Direct Ship Order Form for Local Agencies
The direct ship order form has been revised to include questions asking about the client’s eligibility for Medicaid/KanCare. Please use for all direct ship orders now.
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