Have you or a family member recently lost health coverage through Kansas Medicaid (KanCare) or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)?
Thousands of Kansas children have lost their health insurance coverage following the post-pandemic, state-wide renewal process known as “unwinding,” following the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
The unwinding process began in March of 2023, and in many cases these children lost their coverage due to procedural reasons as states began to disenroll people who were no longer considered eligible. This could be because of a failure to submit a renewal form; or because their contact information was not up-to-date with KanCare and their family never received their renewal notice.
This month, teams of Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas benefit enrollment specialists are making a concentrated effort to get children and qualified adults re-enrolled for health insurance. They will be contacting patients, collaborating with school districts and childcare centers, and scheduling special enrollment events and home visits.
The state of Kansas offers health coverage through KanCare to qualifying children under age 19. KanCare is available to children who qualify for either Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
If a parent is no longer on KanCare/Medicaid, or has never been on KanCare/Medicaid, their children may still qualify for Medicaid or CHIP. Many disenrolled from coverage may be able to re-apply.
If a family has been disenrolled from health coverage, losing Medicaid or CHIP coverage qualifies them for a Special Enrollment Period through the Health Insurance Marketplace, (healthCare.gov) that has health plans with monthly premiums as low as $10.
The Medicaid enrollment process can be very complex and time-consuming, and the CHC/SEK Benefits & Enrollment team are experts ready to assist anyone who has lost or needs assistance applying for Kansas Medicaid (KanCare) or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). There is no cost to use this service.
For enrollment assistance, call 620-240-8919 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday through Friday.
Upcoming Benefits Enrollment Events:
- Square Fair at the Courthouse Lawn in Garnett, KS, at 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on May 11
- Laundry Love at the Laundry Basket in Girard KS, at 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on May 16
- Montgomery County Baby Shower at the Boys and Girls Club in Coffeyville, KS, at 5:30 p.m. on May 20
