The National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) awarded the 2024 Spotlight Award to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) for Kansas Medicaid’s exceptional flexibility and innovation during the Medicaid unwinding process. Kansas completed the unwinding on time without any application backlog, adapting its approach as challenges arose.
One of Kansas Medicaid’s notable achievements was raising ex parte renewal rates from 40% to over 70%, significantly boosting automatic renewals. This improvement reflects the effectiveness of the Kansas eligibility teams and helped ensure uninterrupted coverage for the program’s beneficiaries.
The program demonstrated adaptability through a series of swift improvements made throughout the unwinding process:
- Protection of Vulnerable Populations: Established a unique partnership between eligibility workers and Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) providers to prevent procedural disenrollments among waiver participants. This focused effort helps Kansas’ most vulnerable residents retain essential services by providing personalized support during renewals.
- Real-Time Process Improvements: Acted quickly to address mail delays by extending renewal deadlines and reinstating impacted members.
- Enhanced Communication: Added renewal materials in 17 more languages and introduced ProComms software for personalized member outreach.
- Digital Transformation: Increased monthly portal usage to 45,000 users through targeted engagement efforts.
- Strategic Form Redesign: Lowered unsigned reviews from 3.25% to under 1% by placing the signature page immediately after cover letters, removing a major barrier to completion.
The state formed a Renewals Advisory Coalition to gain real-time feedback, enabling Kansas Medicaid to swiftly identify and resolve challenges. These strategic stakeholder partnerships broadened the program’s statewide reach, building a support network that will benefit Kansans well beyond the unwinding period.
