THE UNINSURED: A Kansas City Survival Guide
 Download The Uninsured Booklet
Even though Congress has just voted to overhaul the nation’s healthcare system, medical observers caution that it will take years to implement many of its key provisions, and even then, not all uninsured Americans will be guaranteed coverage.
In THE UNINSURED: A Kansas City Survival Guide, KCPT sets aside the divisive politics to navigate the places metro residents can turn when they find themselves without health insurance.
 From emergency room care to free health clinics, KCPT takes a realistic look at what's available and what you might expect when you get there. Host Nick Haines talks with Kansas City residents who are already struggling to access the medical system without an insurance card. He also consults with area experts on less obvious ways to get free or reduced health services in the metro.
As frustrating as the search can be, there are places to turn for people who have lost their insurance because of layoffs or cutbacks or who are not offered affordable coverage by their employers.
In the one-hour broadcast, KCPT tracks options for residents:
- without health insurance
- older children aging out of their parents insurance plans
- employees who work for small -businesses that don't offer a health insurance benefit
- insured patients who have pre-existing conditions not covered by their health plans
KCPT’S HEALTHCARE PROBLEM SOLVERS…
Amanda Lowe, CEO
Health Partnership Clinic, Johnson County
Dr. Bridget McCandless
LINC/ Jackson County Free Health Clinic
Sheri Wood, CEO
Kansas City Free Health Clinic
Graciela Couchonnal
Healthcare Foundation of Greater KC
Cary Hall
Benefits by Design, Inc.
Todd Knupp,
HRS Erase Inc.
During the broadcast, viewers will have the opportunity to receive a free companion resource guide providing tips, options and a comprehensive listing of organizations providing preventive, dental and eye care at no or low cost.
KCPT's program, THE UNINSURED: A Kansas City Survival Guide is made possible by a grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City. Additional resources have been provided by the member organizations of the Greater Kansas City Cover the Uninsured Coalition.
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Download the new Health Resource Guide to Safety Net Health Services in Greater Kansas City in English and Spanish.
English
Spanish
For a copy of this guide, please call the Regional Health Care Initiative staff at Mid-America Regional Council, 816-474-4240.
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United Way 2-1-1 is a comprehensive information and referral for community services to find help and give help. It is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day.
http://www.unitedwaygkc.org
United Way 2-1-1 Health Care Advocate
A full-time advocate provides response to callers with health and medical issues, particularly those requiring advocacy. The health care advocate can help with prescription assistance, medical supplies and equipment, medical transportation, referrals to community clinics, in-home health aid, support groups, immunizations and more.
Call 2-1-1 or 816-474-5112 or toll free at 866-320-5764
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Kansas City’s Medicine Cabinet provides emergency assistance one time per year for clients with a pressing need. Does NOT cover Medicare/Medicaid copays, emergency room visits, pre-existing medical expenses, routine doctor’s visits or hospitalization.
This program of the Baptist–Trinity Lutheran Legacy Foundation provides much needed assistance in these main areas:
- Dental emergencies, including dentures
- Diabetic supplies
- Durable medical goods, including hearing aids
- Prescriptions (no controlled substances)
- Vision care.
Partnerships with Price Chopper, the UMKC Dental Clinic, and other organizations make it more convenient and practical to find the help you need.
Call ahead for an intake appointment. [Photo ID, Social Security card, proof of address for the past 30 days, and proof of income for everyone in household required. Household income must be lower than 200 percent of federal poverty level—for example, a single person with income of less than $1,805 per month.]
Bishop Sullivan Center/St. James, KCMO, 816-561-8515
Community Assistance Council, KCMO, 816-763-3277
Community Services League, Independence, 816-254-4100
CrossLines Community Outreach, KCK, 913-281-3388
Johnson County Human Services and Aging, 913-715-8924
Northland Assistance Center, NKCMO, 816-421-2243
Reconciliation Services, KCMO, 816-931-4751
St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, KCK, 913-281-3102 |
Health Care Options Matrix Guide
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Health Insurance Eligibility Quiz
With just a few simple steps, you will learn your options and be given all the resources you need to sign up for your best health coverage plan!
http://www.coverageforall.org
Uninsured Help Line, 800-234-1317
The Help Line is designed to help you find free and low-cost health insurance. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in multiple languages, the service is staffed by friendly Information Specialists who can provide callers with three main services. They can:
- describe the public or private options for which the caller may be eligible.
- connect a caller to representatives from various plans.
- help find special resources pertaining to a caller’s unique health insurance eligibility situation.
Health Care Options Matrix Guide
This hand-held guide outlines your state’s public and private health care choices for individuals and groups in almost every demographic profile, as well as offers a reference list of phone numbers and Web sites. This is an ideal tool for professionals—insurance agents and brokers, health care professionals, business owners, social workers, legislators, teachers, librarians and consumers—who have a basic knowledge of health insurance and need a quick-reference format.
Application and Enrollment Database
This database provides state by state applications to sign up for private and public health coverage. Some programs have applications you can print and some have links to Web sites where you can apply or get a quote.
Kansas Guide and Database
Missouri Guide and Database |
Health Insurance Plans to Fit Your Needs from  |
Call 816-395-BLUE (2583).
Text the word Blue to 2 2 2 7 5 2.
Visit a Blue KC representative at an AAA Office in Overland Park, Lee’s Summit, Shawnee, or Platte Woods.
Click on “Plans & Coverage” at www.BlueKC.com.
Or contact your insurance agent.
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The Medicaid and HealthWave division of KHPA is responsible for purchasing health services for children, pregnant women, people with disabilities, the aged, and the elderly through the Medicaid program, the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP/HealthWave), and the state-funded MediKan program. HealthWave provides assistance to Kansans who do not have access to affordable health insurance for their children. Participants must meet income guidelines. Some families qualify for no-premium health insurance. Others will have small monthly premiums.
Call 800-792-4884 or apply online.
Social and Rehabilitative Services (SRS) Offices
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Kansas Consumer and Small Business Information on Insurance |
Health Insurance Topics:
- National Health Insurance Reform
- Continuation of Coverage and COBRA Q&A
- Health Savings Accounts
- Discount Health Plans
- Individual Major Medical Coverage
- Dental Insurance
- Small Business
- Prompt Pay Act
- Finding and Filling the Gaps: Making Health Insurance Affordable for All Kansans
- Kansas Health Insurance Association (High-Risk Pool)
- Publications
InsureU
The Insure U online curriculum teaches users about insurance in an informal atmosphere. Research the topics that affect you, then take quizzes to test your knowledge.
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MO HealthNet for Kids (MHK) is Missouri’s health insurance program for children. Eligible children are under the age of 19, are citizens or “eligible, qualified aliens,” and have household incomes within certain guidelines. For most families, MHK is provided at no cost. Families with higher incomes may have to pay a premium. There are no deductibles or co-payments. There are also MO HealthNet insurance programs available for pregnant women (MO HealthNet for Pregnant Women) and low-income parents (MO HealthNet for Families).
Missouri Family Support Division (FSD)
MO HealthNet Service Center: 888-275-5908, Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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Missouri Consumer and Small Business Information on Insurance |
Health Insurance Topics:
- Federal Health Care Reform
- Section 125 Premium-Only Plans (POP)
- Small Business Health Insurance
- Missouri Health Insurance Pool (High-Risk Pool)
- Mandated Health Coverage
- Health Maintenance Organizations
- Complaint Index
- Medicare Disability
- Frequently Asked Questions
- H1N1 (Swine Flu) Information
- Glossary of Insurance Terms
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Advocates for Family Health program provides legal representation at no cost for MO HealthNet education and resources to families and service providers for: rejected applications, terminated coverage, health plan problems, and billing problems.
Call 816-474-6750, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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The Regional Health Care Initiative at the Mid-America Regional Council works collaboratively to develop systems that increase capacity, access and the quality of safety net health care and behavioral health services for medically vulnerable members of greater Kansas City.
Call 816-474-4240 or http://www.marc.org/healthinitiative/. |
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2010 Caring Communities Citizens Guide
This guide provides information about LINC's work, locations of its school and neighborhood Caring Communities sites and information about area elected officials. The booklet includes maps showing legislatives districts and other useful information.
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Funding Provided by:
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Additional Resources provided by:
Greater Kansas City
Coalition |
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