Introduction to Kansas Medicaid Services
To assist seniors with a number of questions that they may have about programs that assist individuals with limited income, the Best Times interviewed Charlene Correll, Supervisor in the Elderly and Disabled Division at the Johnson County office of Kansas Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) regarding Medicaid, Food Stamps, and the Medicare Savings Programs.
1. Can you explain medicaid for people who do not know the difference between Medicaid and Medicare?
MEDICAID is the name of the health care program for certain low-income people who do not have enough money to pay for health care services. It is administered by the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS). There are limits on the amount of assets (resources) and income which an individual can have in order to be eligible for Medicaid.
2. Is it fair to say that medicaid covers three major programs for seniors in Kansas: 1. health care in a nursing facility 2. health care services at a hospital or medical clinic AND 3. health care at home or in certain assisted living facilities?
Yes, SRS refers to these as 1. Nursing home assistance, 2. Medically needy program, and 3. HCBS (Home and Community Based Services)
(In addition to these programs, a person may apply for Food Stamps and a Medicare Savings Program to help cover certain Medicare costs. Please see other Medicaid articles.)
3. What are the most common mistakes people make in applying for medicaid or filling out the application that they should be careful to avoid.
Most of our application denials are because of persons not following through and providing the documentation requested. It is important to know that a person can REAPPLY at any time.
4. What do you think seniors might not understand about medicaid or SRS services that it would be helpful for them to understand?
While Medicaid may be helpful, it may not solve all of person's problems with medical expenses. The programs have limits in order to contain costs.
5. What health care does medicaid cover through the medical assistance program?
There are a variety of Medicaid programs with variations in coverage, so the answer to this question could be complex. Full general Medicaid coverage will pay for most medical expenses including prescription drugs.
6. To what extent can medicaid help seniors with eyeglasses, hearing aids, dental needs, and prescription drugs in the state of Kansas?
Medicaid coverage will pay for eye exams and eyeglasses once every 4 years. Hearing exams and testing are covered. Hearing aids and repairs over $75 require prior authorization. Adult dental services are limited to prior authorized dental procedures associated with medically necessary extractions. Most prescription drugs are covered.
7. Can you explain in simple terms what the financial eligibility criteria are for medicaid's health care coverage program in Kansas for a 1 or 2 person family?
For adults:
Resources (assets) must be below $2,000 for one person or $3,000 for a couple. The home is exempt, one vehicle is exempt, prepaid funeral plans are exempt.
Monthly income is compared to a standard amount for the particular living arrangement or program participation. Any income in excess of this standard is obligated for medical expenses with Medicaid paying the rest. For example:
The nursing home standard is $30.
For HCBS (Home and Community Based Services) the standard is $716.
For persons living at home with no HCBS, the standard is $475.
The amount of income that exceeds this standard is called a SPENDDOWN and is just like an insurance deductible. The process works like this:
As an example, an applicant is determined to have $575 in monthly countable income (after allowable deductions). The monthly income standard for one individual is $475. In this instance, the spenddown would be $100. The applicant would then be required to incur $100 in medical expenses before becoming eligible. The expenses do not have to be paid to be allowed against spenddown, only incurred. Once the spenddown is met, the Medicaid program would pick up the remainder of the person's expenses but would not pay for the $100 in expenses used to meet spenddown. If, in this example, the individual has incurred medical expenses of $150, he or she would be obligated for $100 of that amount and Medicaid would pick up the remaining $50.
8. How and when should a person who is moving into Kansas apply for medicaid?
States do not transfer cases from state to state, so if a person is on Medicaid and moving from another state to Kansas, they must have the case closed in the other state and apply in Kansas. While federal funding is used in both states, and federal rules applied, some variations are allowed and so each state's assistance may be different.
The Kansas rule is that an individual must be a resident of Kansas (living here) and expects to remain, so once that is true, the individual can apply for Kansas Medicaid.
Benefits and eligibility criteria change slightly every year. This information is as of June 2004. For more information, contact the Johnson County SRS office at 913-826-7300; statewide 1-800-766-9012.
Or call Johnson County Aging Information at 913-894-8811. To locate Area Agencies on Aging elsewhere in Kansas and nationwide contact the Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116.
Additional information:
Estate Recovery allows SRS and Medicaid to recover medical care costs from the estates of recipients who, prior to their death were 55 years of age or older, resided in a nursing facility or received Medicaid-funded HCBS services; and/or did not have a spouse, children under 21, or disabled dependents.
A person's estate includes the home, savings, or other assets remaining upon death. No lien will be placed upon property while the recipient or spouse is living, but a claim may be filed on the estate upon the death of both the recipient and spouse. All medical expenses paid by SRS may be included in the claim. Questions regarding the Estate Recovery Program can be directed to the Estate Recovery Unit at 785-296-6707.
Medicaid Office in Johnson County (913) 826-7300
Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) 8915 Lenexa Drive, Overland Park, Kansas 66214. Lenexa Drive runs along the East side of I-35 between 87th and 95th streets. Medicaid Information 1-800-766-9012 or 1-785-291-4144
Human Services & Aging
11811 S. Sunset Drive, Suite #1300
Olathe, KS 66061-7056
(913) 715-8800 : voice
(913) 715-8825 : fax
(913) 894-8822 : TTY
E-mail