Meeting Eastern Kentucky Healthcare Needs
The devastation of last week’s floods in Eastern Kentucky is an ongoing, tragic situation. Our beloved 606 is hurting, but for #TeamKentucky, we are once again broadcasting to the entire country what we do best — uniting as a single #KentuckyStrong family, showing up for our fellow neighbor, and making sure every single loved one and stranger alike is taken care of as thousands are forced to rebuild from nothing. The loss of life and injuries so many have sustained is overwhelming, and our hearts remain with every single family facing the trauma and heartache of these painful losses. To our colleagues, partners, and friends — we stand with you in the difficult weeks and months ahead. If you need assistance not listed or described below, please visit the new Flood Resources landing page on Governor Beshear’s official website for more information.
Do you need or do you know someone in flood-impacted areas that needs healthcare coverage or access to a provider?
Kentuckians can enroll in Medicaid at any time throughout the year. Kentuckians who are displaced by the recent natural disaster may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. As soon as we have additional details, we will share as quickly as possible. In the meantime, we encourage individuals to find a kynector or insurance agent nearby to help them explore their Medicaid eligibility.
Are you following the Kentucky Primary Care Association (KPCA) on Facebook? KPCA is providing the latest updates on impacted providers in flood devastated areas, as well as which healthcare facilities are back up and running for Kentuckians to be able to access the care they need — even when the circumstances dictate these facilities to run on generator power for the time being. Many providers have also set up mobile clinics in nearby parking lots to assist with the delivery of care right now. Please share KPCA’s updates in order to spread the word assist those in the area in need of care!
Want to know how to support Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) and the communities, staff and patients they serve? Follow ARH on Facebook here. Although several ARH facilities are temporarily closed due to flood damage, ARH is working as swiftly as possible to get supplies to remaining offices, clinics and hospitals – all while operating on a skeleton staff while so many of their own have lost everything themselves. ARH is also maintaining up to date lists of ongoing supply list needs and when and how donations can be collected.
Mental health access.
We encourage everyone to take care of themselves, & don’t hesitate to talk to someone about the stresses the floods may be causing for your own mental health, whether you are directly impacted by the last week’s destruction or are watching and helping from a distance. The Disaster Distress Helpline is here for you 24/7:
- Call 1.800.985.5990
- Text ‘TalkWithUs’ to 66746
- Visit disasterdistress.samhsa.gov
Please consider using Mental Health America of Kentucky as a guiding light at this time as they uplift multiple opportunities and resources for Kentuckians during this time.
9-8-8 is live & available to support both you & your loved ones.
As of July 16th, 2022, the 9-8-8 crisis and suicide prevention support hotline is live. If you have a mental health emergency or are with someone who is, call 9-8-8. If you have a substance use disorder (SUD) that is not a medical emergency, call 9-8-8. If you or someone else is experiencing a medical emergency, still call 9-1-1!
9-8-8 is a robust, comprehensive crisis response center where Kentuckians *will* be answered by another real Kentuckian, trained to provide support and offer guidance to other resources. There is hope. 9-8-8 can help.
Blood donations are needed.
Kentuckians are being encouraged to visit redcrossblood.org to find a blood drive or donation location near them if they would like to donate blood to help Eastern Kentuckians in need!
Monetary donations continue to be needed.
This latest tragedy to strike Kentuckians still has many of us in disbelief – the power of water and nature is often underestimated. We know the weeks and months ahead will be extremely difficult for thousands of Kentuckians living in an already distressed region of our state. If you want to help and are in a place to give, we encourage you to consider donating to the official Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund.
Many partner organizations have put together resources in response to the weekend’s tornadoes. Here is the Governor’s Office page for Flood Recovery Resources and Donation/Volunteering Information if you are interested in additional ways to help our fellow Kentuckians at this time.
Because Kentucky request for federal aid and a state of emergency has been approved by President Biden, federal funding is available to the commonwealth, eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures in Breathitt, Clay, Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Leslie, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Owsley, Perry, Pike and Wolfe counties. Federal funding is also available on a cost-sharing basis for hazard mitigation measures for the entire commonwealth.
Medicaid & SNAP Resources for Tornado Survivors
Need immediate and direct assistance with prescriptions from your Medicaid Managed Cara Organization
DMS is working to ensure Medicaid members impacted by the state of emergency due to flooding in Eastern Kentucky have access to healthcare resources and supports, including medications.
Members with a Managed Care Organization (MCO) such as Aetna; Anthem; Humana; Passport by Molina; UnitedHealthcare; or WellCare should contact their MCO member services listed on their member card for assistance or dial the following numbers:
Medicaid & SNAP Resources for Tornado Survivors
Need immediate and direct assistance with prescriptions from your Medicaid Managed Cara Organization
DMS is working to ensure Medicaid members impacted by the state of emergency due to flooding in Eastern Kentucky have access to healthcare resources and supports, including medications.
Members with a Managed Care Organization (MCO) such as Aetna; Anthem; Humana; Passport by Molina; UnitedHealthcare; or WellCare should contact their MCO member services listed on their member card for assistance or dial the following numbers:
- Aetna: 1-855-300-5528
- Anthem: 1-855-690-7784
- Humana: 1-800-444-9137
- Passport by Molina: 1-800-578-0603
- WellCare: 1-877-389-9457
- UnitedHealthcare: 1-866-293-1796
For MCO pharmacy assistance, call MedImpact at (800) 210-7628.
Information for Home Health, Private Duty Nursing & Nursing Facilities
The DMS Division of Long-Term Services and Supports is reaching out to providers of Home Health (HH), Private Duty Nursing (PDN), and Nursing Facility (NF) services, as well as those members they serve, to address emergent needs. If this applies to you, please complete the appropriate form by clicking on the bullet point that describes your situation.
- A provider of HH, PDN, or NF services
- A member who receives HH or PDN
- Trying to locate a member who resides in an NF and may have been evacuated due to the flooding
Many HH, PDN, or NF providers and members may not be able to access or complete an electronic form at this time. If are an HH, PDN, or NF provider or member and need assistance to complete these forms, call the 1915(c) Waiver Help Desk at (844) 784-5614 and choose option #6. A DMS staff member will record your responses for you. If you have not been affected by the flooding, but know a HH, PDN or NF provider or member who has, please let them know about this form.
SNAP & Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) Information
Several Eastern Kentucky DCBS offices are inaccessible and/or closed because of flood damage. If you reside in an affected county & need in-person service, please check for the alternate DCBS office where DCBS staff will be able to serve you. Customers also can call 855-306-8959 or visit kynect.ky.gov for assistance with benefits. Clients in flood impacted areas can also be served at other nearby DCBS locations; search by county to find these locations here.
Kentuckians who need a replacement EBT card should follow these instructions:
- If able to receive mail at the address they have on file with DCBS, call 888.979.9949 to request a replacement card.
- If unable to receive mail at address and are receiving mail at a temporary location, contact DCBS at 855.306.8959 to update this address information and request a new card once the address has been changed.
To report child or adult abuse, neglect or exploitation, call 877.597.2331. And always call 9-1-1 for immediate help in these matters.
TEAM EASTERN KENTUCKY FLOOD RELIEF FUND
Assessing Flood Impacts on HCBS Participants & Providers
The Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) has compiled a list of flooding recovery resources for Medicaid members, 1915(c) Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waiver participants, and others. The listing also includes ways to help flood survivors.
Flood Recovery Resources for Medicaid Members
This is not an exhaustive list of resources available. If you are aware of a resource that could help, please email us at MedicaidPublicComment@ky.gov.
If you are a 1915(c) HCBS waiver participant or provider affected by the flooding and in need of assistance, please fill out the appropriate form below.
Flooding Assistance Form – Participants
Flooding Assistance Form – Providers
Many providers and participants may not be able to access or complete an electronic form at this time. If you or anyone needs assistance to complete these forms, call the 1915(c) Waiver Help Desk at (844) 784-5614 and choose the prompt for the applicable waiver program. A DMS staff member will record your responses for you.
If you have not been affected by the flooding, but know a waiver provider or participant who has, please let them know about this form.
If you have an urgent waiver-related need due to the flooding, you can also contact the 1915(c) Waiver Help Desk by phone at (844) 784-5614 and choose the prompt for the applicable waiver program or by email at 1915cWaiverHelpDesk@ky.gov.
