Kansas Department of Health and Environment
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has secured a $4.6 million grant for the state Medicaid program, known as KanCare, to be awarded over the next four years by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The Continuity of Care for Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Beneficiaries Following Incarceration Grant will be used to implement a continuity of care strategy for Kansans who are eligible for Medicaid and CHIP during and after incarceration.
“Receiving the Continuity of Care Grant will build the foundation necessary for Medicaid and the State to support correctional facilities in ensuring access to health care as incarcerated individuals begin their reentry into society,” KDHE Secretary Janet Stanek said. “We are so grateful for the collaboration that has been built between KDHE and correctional facilities across Kansas through this process, allowing us to continue educating and providing much needed health care access to those in need as we begin implementing the grant funding.”
Continuity of care strategies help keep Medicaid members connected to health care by helping them seek care in the appropriate settings and providing access to preventative care. This results in better health outcomes for the member and saves on costly emergency care and recidivism in correctional facilities for Kansas.
Grant activities will support implementing the youth re-entry requirements from the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2023. These requirements, as noted in Section 5121 of the CAA, will lift the inmate payment exclusions for youth who are eligible for Medicaid and CHIP and are within 30 days of release from incarceration or are post-adjudication.
Grant funding may cover activities such as:
- Identifying and addressing operational gaps.
- Establishing standardized processes for KanCare or CHIP enrollment status of inmates.
- Investing in information technology to enable health information sharing.
- Establishing oversight and monitoring processes for compliance.
The Kansas Medicaid program intends to focus their efforts on establishing standardization for reliable, safe and efficient information sharing methods between entities that support care transition and treatment coordination.
“This Continuity of Care grant marks a significant step forward in how Kansas supports individuals as they transition from incarceration back into their communities,” Christine Osterlund, KDHE Deputy Secretary of Agency Integration and Kansas Medicaid Director, said. “By strengthening information sharing, standardizing processes and addressing barriers to care, we can make sure that Medicaid and CHIP beneficiaries have the services they need to build healthy, sustainable futures.”
The funding will support Kansas’ efforts to address populations at higher risk for poor health outcomes.
More information about the grant is available at CMS State Planning Grants.