New resources available to support Kentucky
Medicaid recipients who are transitioning to Kentucky HEALTH
KentuckyHEALTH.ky.gov is best source for key information
FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 25, 2018) -
Kentucky HEALTH, the
Commonwealth’s new program for certain able-bodied adults receiving Medicaid,
begins on July 1, 2018, and several state agencies are working to make the
transition as smooth as possible for those recipients.
“We have numerous print and
digital resources now available that will help the people of the Commonwealth
understand and take advantage of Kentucky’s new Medicaid program,” said Cabinet
for Health and Family Services (CHFS) Secretary Adam Meier. “The Kentucky
HEALTH website features a new eligibility tool that will help citizens
determine which components of the program will apply to them. We also have
pamphlets, guides and booklets available in state offices everywhere and
available for download.”
The Cabinet for Health and
Family Services (CHFS) and the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet
(EWDC) have collaborated with local Department for Community Based Services
(DCBS) offices and Kentucky Career Centers (KCCs) to make sure that resources
are in place and staff are prepared to support Medicaid beneficiaries through
the transition to Kentucky HEALTH. Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) – Anthem,
Aetna, Humana, Passport and Wellcare – are also helping to prepare their members
for this transition and have multiple print and digital materials available for
their members as well.
Kentucky Career Centers,
libraries, and adult education centers will also have Kentucky HEALTH resources
on hand and staff members available to help recipients understand the new PATH
Community Engagement requirement, which means some recipients who are able will
need to complete 80 hours of employment, education or training, volunteering or
caregiving per month.
“Kentucky Career Centers
across the Commonwealth are excited to help customers find jobs, education and
training opportunities in their area,” said EWDC Cabinet Secretary Derrick K.
Ramsey. “The state has more than 163,000 current job openings and that number
keeps increasing. Our goal is to strengthen Kentucky’s workforce by helping
more Kentuckians gain the high-demand skills required to meet employers’
needs.”
As a first step, Kentuckians
are encouraged to visit the Kentucky HEALTH website at KentuckyHEALTH.ky.gov to
learn more about the program. This website, which will be updated regularly, includes
information and materials for recipients, KCC and DCBS staff, MCOs, and
business and community partners.
Some of the highlights
include:
-
Kentucky HEALTH Eligibility
Finder – This
new Eligibility Finder tool can help people understand if they are eligible for
Kentucky HEALTH. If they are, the tool will identify what eligibility group they
fall into and what new requirements and benefits apply to them, based on their
eligibility group. This tool is a great starting point for anyone who is
wondering how they may be impacted by the transition to Kentucky HEALTH.
-
PATH Community Engagement
Magazine – The
PATH Magazine is an essential overview for citizens who may have a PATH
Community Engagement requirement. PATH stands for “Partnering to Advance
Training and Health.” The Magazine
explains who has a PATH requirement, how to meet the PATH requirement, and
more.
-
Kentucky HEALTH Getting
Started Guide – The Getting
Started Guide contains detailed information about each component of the
Kentucky HEALTH program, as well as sections for each eligibility group.
Individuals can refer to the sections of the Guide that are relevant to them,
based on their unique situation, and use it to help satisfy the Kentucky HEALTH
program requirements.
“The Kentucky HEALTH team has
worked diligently since the Medicaid 1115 waiver was granted federal approval
to create a library of high-quality information aimed at helping people
understand the recent changes to Medicaid,” said CHFS Deputy Secretary Kristi
Putnam. “We are excited to share this information and the wealth of resources
offered, and as always, look forward to receiving feedback on this new content.”
While Kentucky HEALTH launches
statewide on July 1, 2018, the PATH Community Engagement component of Kentucky HEALTH
will be implemented on a regional or county-by-county basis. The only county
that will have a PATH Community Engagement requirement on July 1, 2018, is
Campbell County in Northern Kentucky. Details about future phases and the PATH
Rollout schedule are available on the Kentucky HEALTH website Resources page.
Full-time employees, full-time
students, or the primary caregivers of a dependent child are not
required
to complete the PATH requirement if they have reported their work or school status
to a DCBS worker or updated their information at benefind.ky.gov. However,
they are able to take advantage of the PATH assistance and resources to access
additional job, training and volunteering opportunities and can earn valuable
incentives when they do.
Medicaid recipients who have
questions about Kentucky HEALTH are encouraged to go to KentuckyHEALTH.ky.gov/questions
or call 1-855-306-8959. The Kentucky HEALTH Facebook page and Twitter feed also
contain important program updates, news articles, and other resources.
Facebook – Kentucky HEALTH page: Facebook.com/KentuckyHEALTH1
Twitter
–
@KentuckyHEALTH1: Twitter.com/KentuckyHEALTH1
About CHFS
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services is home to most of the state's human services and healthcare
programs, including the Department for Medicaid Services, the Department for Community Based Services
the Department for Public Health, the Department for Aging and Independent Living and the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual
Disabilities. CHFS is one of the largest agencies in state government, with nearly 8,000 full- and part-time
employees located across the Commonwealth focused on improving the lives and health of Kentuckians. Additional information is available at http://chfs.ky.gov/.
About EWD
The Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet
coordinates learning programs from P-16, and manages and supports training and
employment functions in the Department for Workforce Investment. For more
information about our programs, visit http://ewdc.ky.gov
or call 502-564-0372.
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