Federal legislation tied to the nationwide COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) incentivized states to maintain eligibility for Medicaid enrollees during the COVID-19 pandemic by increasing federal funding for Medicaid programs. In response, Kansas, and all other states, delayed action on annual reviews, ensuring continuous coverage during the pandemic. Starting April 1, 2023, Kansas has up to 12 months to process all eligibility casework for KanCare that was not acted upon during the PHE. This process is called Unwinding.
On Monday, April 17, 2023, the Kansas Health Institute offered an education session about Medicaid Unwinding in Kansas. The session featured presentations from Sheena L. Schmidt, M.P.P., Senior Analyst from the Kansas Health Institute, and Russell Nittler, with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Kate Gramlich, from Cover Kansas, facilitated a panel that focused on strategies for reaching Kansans who may be at risk of disenrollment.
Panelists included:
- Molly Gotobed, Kansas Assistance Network and Community Health Council of Wyandotte County
- Aurora Myers, KanCare Ombudsman’s Office at Wichita State University’s Community Engagement Institute
- Alydia Offutt, Hoxie Medical Clinic and Sheridan County Health Complex
Participants:
- Learned about the Medicaid and CHIP unwinding process,
- Gained an understanding of data that identify people living in areas at highest risk of disenrollment, and
- Heard from a panel of stakeholders who discussed outreach and engagement strategies that use geographic data to target populations at risk of disenrollment.
A recording of the event is below.