Health Literacy Kentucky works to improve how Kentuckians access, understand, and use health information and services.
About the Coalition
Improving Health Literacy Across Kentucky
Health Literacy Kentucky is a statewide coalition of advocates, healthcare professionals, educators, and academic partners working to improve health literacy across the Commonwealth since 2009.
The coalition supports stronger healthcare communication, increased public understanding, and better access to understandable health information and services across Kentucky communities.
Coalition Priorities
What Health Literacy Kentucky Supports
Tools & Resources
Health Literacy Resources for Kentucky Communities
Health Literacy Kentucky provides educational materials, healthcare literacy trainings, research, and public resources designed to support both community members and healthcare professionals across Kentucky.
Health Literacy KY Materials
These materials have been developed and used by Health Literacy Kentucky members over the past several years. We encourage you to adapt and use them with community members and professionals in your area! We’d love to know about updates you make and audiences that you reach. Connect with us here.
Kentucky Health Insurance Literacy Training Modules
Kentucky Health Insurance Literacy Training Modules Health Literacy Kentucky offers educational modules designed to help healthcare professionals, advocates, and community organizations better support individuals navigating health insurance and healthcare systems.
Module 1.1: Health Insurance Literacy Introduction
Dr. Jean Edward, University of Kentucky
Objectives
- Define health insurance literacy
- Describe current statistics on Health Insurance Literacy in the US and Kentucky in specific
- Recognize the impact of limited Health Insurance Literacy on access to healthcare services
Module 1.2: Understanding Health Insurance Literacy as Health Professionals
Dr. Jean Edward, University of Kentucky
Objectives
- Identify ways to provide assistance to consumers with low health insurance literacy
- Discuss strategies for improving consumer health insurance literacy
- Discuss strategies for improving health systems to be more consumer friendly and improving access to resources that promote health insurance literacy
Module 1.3: Health Insurance Literacy in Real Life – Results from Studies in West and South Louisville
Dr. Ryan Combs, University of Louisville
Objectives
- Describe the barriers to getting and using health insurance that study participants faced
- Compare the acceptability of different methods of conveying health literacy concepts to residents
- Explain the characteristics of community health workers that West Louisville residents desired
Module 2.1: Understanding Health Insurance in Plain Language
Elizabeth Edghill, Family Health Centers
Objectives
- Share strategies for explaining the broad concept of health insurance in plain language
- Examine what one needs to know about health insurance-costs, terminology, covered services, and networks
- Share sample resource, wording, and visual representations for defining cost-sharing terms and concepts
Module 2.2: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Malea Hoepf, University of Louisville
Objectives
- Describe at least 2 goals of the ACA
- List two ways the ACA changed access to health insurance
- Identify at least one resource to learn more about the ACA in their state
Module 2.3: Enrolling in Private Health Insurance Plans
Ashley Shoemaker, Family Health Centers
Objectives
- List the key questions and factors that clients need to consider when selecting a health insurance plan
- Explain the eligibility guidelines, open enrollment and special enrollment periods
- Help clients effectively compare different health insurance plan options
Module 2.4: Enrolling in Public Health Insurance Plans
Ashley Shoemaker, Family Health Centers
Objectives
- List the different parts of Medicare, including what services are covered
- Explain in broad strokes the different categories of Medicaid coverage
- List the general eligibility requirements for Medicare and Medicaid
Module 3.1: Using Health Insurance to Access Care
Elizabeth Edghill, Family Health Centers
Objectives
- List situations when one should use their health insurance card
- Define health insurance terms, costs, and key documents using simple examples and plain language
- Emphasize the importance of paying premiums and meeting requirements to keep health insurance coverage
- Share an activity that can be used with individuals or groups to compare and contrast the levels of care in Kentucky’s health care system
Module 3.2: Troubleshooting Health Insurance Problems
Emily Beauregard, Kentucky Voices for Health
Objectives
- Understand the types and causes of surprise medical bills
- Learn how to avoid getting a surprise bill and ways to resolve one
- Understand what issues can be appealed or filed as a grievance
- Learn the steps of the appeals process and where to go for assistance
Surprise Medical Billing & Coding Materials
Surprise Medical Billing & Coding Materials Check out our new one-pagers cobranded from the Kentucky Cancer Consortium, Kentucky Voices for Health, and Health Literacy Kentucky. These one-pagers contain resources for consumers, providers, and policymakers to address billing and coding issues for preventive services that should be free. Start by thinking of three people (or partner organizations) who may find these one-pagers useful and send them a link to the version that would apply to them!
*The below resources were shared during a webinar hosted by the Kentucky Cancer Consortium on 01/24/2023.
Preventative Services Should Be Free! Here’s What Kentuckians Need To Know:
Covered Services:
Research
Research Dr. Jean Edward, PhD, RN, CHPE
Assistant Professor | University of Kentucky College of Nursing
Nurse Scientist | Markey Cancer Center
Other Resources Events & Programs
Upcoming Events and Trainings
Health Literacy Kentucky hosts trainings, webinars, and educational programs focused on improving healthcare communication and public understanding across Kentucky communities.
Community Outreach
Request a Speaker, Training, or Consultation
Health Literacy Kentucky partners with organizations, healthcare systems, educators, and community groups to provide trainings, presentations, and healthcare literacy support across Kentucky.