City Of Kansas City: Helping Low-Income Residents Apply For Health Insurance Through Medicaid

Press release from the City of Kansas City:

March 4, 2022

The Kansas City Health Department is working with experienced Medicaid advisors to help enroll people in the newly expanded program so that qualified residents can get the help they need to pay their medical bills.

“Applying for health insurance is complicated for anybody, and we know it’s a relief to have an expert on hand to help you through the process,” said Director of Health Marvia Jones. “We recognize signing up for coverage may feel like a daunting task. We are here to help, with experts on hand at the health department to assist our customers.” The health department is partnering with Medicaid experts from KC Care Health Center and Swope Health Services to offer this service free of charge inside the health department at 2400 Troost Ave.

These experts are available to walk you through the process every Tuesday from noon until 4 p.m. In 2020, Missouri voters approved expanding the government-funded health insurance program to include approximately 274,000 more Missouri residents. The state began accepting enrollments in October 2021, but only about 20 percent of eligible residents have enrolled. Before the expansion, only adults with children were eligible for Medicaid. Now these residents are encouraged to apply: If you are single between 19 and 64 years of age and make less than about $18,000 a year

If you are a family of four and earn approximately $36,500 a year “Because we believe healthcare is a right, not a luxury, Swope Health is committed to supporting as many people as possible with Medicaid enrollment,” said Arsenial Runion, director of patient experience for Swope Health. “Expanded coverage in Missouri gives more people the opportunity to access routine care, medications, lab work, preventive testing and more. It’s critical that everyone who is eligible for Medicaid take full advantage of this program, so we are ready to offer the guidance they need to successfully enroll."

The health department encourages all residents to review the Community Health Assessment for Kansas City, which highlights the city’s health needs and priorities. For more information on Medicaid enrollment eligibility, visit the FAQ section on the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services website.

If you other questions not answered in the FAQ, call the health department at 816-513-6209.

The media can contact Michelle Pekarsky, health department public information officer at 816-719-3610.

This press release was produced by the City of Kansas City. The views expressed here are the author’s own.