CareArc is reminding residents there doors are open to all, despite upcoming federal changes in healthcare eligibility.
In a news release from the health care provider this past week, CareArc urged immigrant patients to take steps to prepare for upcoming changes through H.R. 1, which will go into effect on October 1, including the potential of no longer qualifying for Medicaid, also known as KanCare. The changes could affect “Some immigrants, including but not limited to refugees, asylees, humanitarian parolees and survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking.”
The news release also stated coverage will not be affected for”
*U.S. Citizens
*Lawful permanent residents (Green card holders)
*Migrants and citizens of the Freely Associated States
*Cuban or Haitian migrants
With this in mind, CareArc is encouraging patients to take some of the following actions:
*Update contact information with KanCare
*Watch for important mail including personalized notices from KanCare
*Schedule care and fill prescriptions before October 1 to avoid any gap in coverage
*Contact the KanCare Clearinghouse by calling 1-800-792-4884
*Visit KanCare.ks.gov/ImmigrantEligibility for full details on policy changes.
Despite these upcoming changes, CareArc reassures all residents that their doors will always remain open to any patient regardless of their immigration status or ability to pay. A statement from CareArc read as follows:
“Healthcare should be convenient and affordable for everyone, without exception — that has been our approach since 1997, and it isn’t changing now. Patients who lose KanCare coverage, or who never had it to begin with, can still access medical, dental, and behavioral health care at CareArc through our Sliding Fee Scale Discount Program, which reduces the cost of care based on household income and family size. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, and most major insurance plans, but insurance has never been a requirement to walk through our doors.
Individuals with questions or concerns regarding the upcoming changes can contact CareArc directly by calling 620-342-4864. CareArc also listed a number of additional resources, which you can view below.
Familial Support and Education
Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas: CatholicCharitiesKs.org/la-luz-immigration-
clinic
International Rescue Committee — Wichita: rescue.org/united-states/wichita-ks
Health and Medical
Advisory Council for the Kansas Statewide Farmworker Health Program:
kdhe.ks.gov/356/Kansas-Statewide-Farmworker-Health-Progr
Genesis Family Health — Southwest Kansas: GenesisFamilyHealth.org
Juntos Center for Advancing Latino Health: JuntosKs.org
National Alliance for Hispanic Health: HealthyAmericas.org
Workforce Services
American Federation of Labor & Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO):
aflcio.org/about-us/programs/immigration-resources
A full list is available at KanCare.ks.gov/Resources.
