KDHE

TOPEKA–The Kansas Department of Health and the Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) have scheduled five public meetings in preparation for renewal of KanCare, the Kansas Medicaid program.

KanCare members, stakeholders and others who are interested in KanCare renewal are invited to attend. The meetings will include the updates on KanCare from state officials and staff, information on potential changes to the program and feedback sessions for public input.

“As we move toward renewal of KanCare in 2018, it is important for us to continue to meet with the people directly impacted. We want to listen to what they have to say and the ideas that they have to move KanCare forward,” said Dr. Susan Mosier. “These public sessions are part of our efforts to make KanCare even better and more effective for beneficiaries and their families.”

The public meetings are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24, in Topeka at the Ramada Hotel and Convention Center; at the same times on Wednesday, May 25, in Wichita at the Marriott Wichita and in Kansas City, KS at the Jack Reardon Civic Center (Hilton Garden Inn); and at the same times on Thursday, May 26, in Hays at the Rose Garden Banquet Hall, 230 E. 8th, and in Pittsburg at Pittsburg State University.

After these public sessions, the agencies plan on drafting the federal renewal application for KanCare and a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the new managed care organization contracts. Public notice of the state’s intention to apply for renewal of KanCare, a comment period and two public hearings will be conducted on the renewal application this coming summer and fall. A final draft of the RFP and the renewal application, incorporating input from participants and stakeholders, will be submitted to CMS in October, 2016.

From November, 2016 through May, 2017, the agencies expect to evaluate the RFP responses, finalize the contracts, incorporate any CMS feedback and submit the contracts to CMS for approval. CMS approval of all elements of renewal is anticipated to be received by December, 2017, in anticipation of launch in January, 2018.

Please see the KanCare website, www.KanCare.KS.gov, for meeting location addresses and additional information on these meetings.

Individuals may request special accommodation by contacting Elizabeth Phelps at (785) 296-4552 or [email protected] and please make your accommodation requests by May 16, 2016.