Organizations highlight importance of protecting Ohio River during Source Water Protection Week

As communities across the country recognize American Water Works Association’s Source Water Protection Week, Sept. 27–Oct. 3 five regional water organizations are highlighting the importance of protecting the Ohio River and the watersheds that support the region’s drinking water and wastewater systems.

Medicaid patients, medical groups sue over new work requirement rules

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WOWO) — Medicaid patients from Indiana and four other states have joined several medical organizations in a federal lawsuit challenging rules governing exemptions from new Medicaid work requirements. According to 21Alive, the lawsuit, filed in federal court in Maryland, includes Medicaid enrollees from Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri...

Kentucky’s newest medical school aims to keep doctors in state

This story was first published in The Edge. Doctors who train in Kentucky will practice in Kentucky. That’s the thinking behind Eastern Kentucky University’s plan to build a medical school at its main campus in Richmond to help address a shortage of primary care and other physicians statewide. The first class of EKU-trained doctors is […]

Medicaid listening tour continues in Prestonsburg

Four legislators visited Prestonsburg on Sept. 17 to share information on how Medicaid eligibility and work requirements will soon change as part of a “Medicaid Reality Check” listening tour held across the state. Three other cities hosted the tour, including Lexington, Louisville and Morehead. Available for comment at...

After Medicaid ban, Kentucky Planned Parenthood says it’s ‘not going anywhere’

LOUISVILLE — On the heels of a year-long Medicaid ban, Planned Parenthood officials say they are eyeing the midterms in November, which they believe could be a deciding factor in future funding stability. Jennifer Allen, the CEO of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates and a policy expert with the organization,...

Medicaid listening tour continues in Prestonsburg

Four legislators visited Prestonsburg on Sept. 17 to share information on how Medicaid eligibility and work requirements will soon change as part of a “Medicaid Reality Check” listening tour held across the state. Three other cities hosted the tour, including Lexington, Louisville and Morehead. Available for comment at...

Kentucky lawmakers meet to review state Medicaid program

Kentucky lawmakers met in Frankfort to review the state's Medicaid program following months of disagreement over funding and higher-than-expected revenue forecasts.

After Medicaid ban, Kentucky Planned Parenthood says it’s ‘not going anywhere’

LOUISVILLE — On the heels of a year-long Medicaid ban, Planned Parenthood officials say they are eyeing the midterms in November, which they believe could be a deciding factor in future funding stability. Jennifer Allen, the CEO of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates and a policy expert with the organization,...

After Medicaid ban, Kentucky Planned Parenthood says it’s ‘not going anywhere’

“We're in Kentucky to stay. Planned Parenthood is not going anywhere.”

Experts: Kentucky residents should prepare for Medicaid changes

Certain adults enrolled in Medicaid must report qualifying work, education or community service hours to keep their coverage, under new federal changes that go into effect in January. Adults must document 80 hours per month of work, education or community service to keep their health coverage. Emily Beauregard, executive director...

A federal audit says HumanaChoice was overpaid $130.9 million on diagnoses its own records did not support

A federal watchdog has concluded that HumanaChoice, a Medicare Advantage plan run by Humana, Inc. under contract H5216, collected government payments tied to diagnosis codes that patients’ own medical records did not back up. The finding comes from a compliance audit covering payment years 2020 and 2021, built on a sample of enrollee records that […]

Experts: Kentucky residents should prepare for Medicaid changes

Certain adults enrolled in Medicaid must report qualifying work, education or community service hours to keep their coverage, under new federal changes that go into effect in January . Adults must document 80 hours per month of work, education or community service to keep their health coverage. Emily Beauregard, executive director of Kentucky Voices for Health, said while the new work reporting requirements don't start until 2027, new questions have already been added to the Medicaid application. She said households should ensure their information is up to date. "Families can prepare by updating their contact information to make sure they get Medicaid notices," said Beauregard. "The notices will indicate if any adults in the household are enrolled in Medicaid expansion and subject to the new requirements." Back in July, the Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services began mailing official outreach notifications regarding community engagement rules to households across the Commonwealth. Beauregard said Medicaid recipients should begin to collect any documents that could be used to prove an individual meets the work reporting requirements or may be eligible for an exemption. "There are a number of exemptions for caregivers, people with disabilities or other health conditions, and for extenuating circumstances like high

Auditor Ball launches online tool to track public benefit processing errors

FRANKFORT – The Kentucky Auditor of Public Accounts is launching a new Public Benefit Error Rate Tracker. This online, public-facing tool will display monthly error rates and estimated wasted taxpayer […]

Nearly $17 million awarded to expand mental health and addiction services across Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky has secured nearly $17 million in federal grants to expand mental health crisis response, youth behavioral health programs and addiction recovery services across the state, Gov. Andy Beshear announced. The funding comes through the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and will support...

Experts: Kentucky residents should prepare for Medicaid changes

Adults must document 80 hours per month of work, education or community service to keep their health coverage. Emily Beauregard, executive director of Kentucky Voices for Health, said while the new work reporting requirements don't start until 2027, new questions have already been added to the Medicaid application. She said households should ensure their information is up to date.

Kentucky measles cases still on the rise; officials urge people to make sure vaccines are up to date

As of Sept. 14, Kentucky has confirmed 42 cases of measles in its current outbreak, up from 35 cases a week ago, according to the state’s measles dashboard. The dashboard is updated daily by 10 a.m. Monday through Friday, except on state holidays. Those cases are in Barren (4...

Baptist Health Hardin County opens new facility

Rising health costs could squeeze Kentucky employers and workers in 2027

Kentucky employers could face difficult decisions about health insurance premiums, deductibles and prescription benefits as the cost of providing employee health coverage is projected to rise sharply in 2027. Health benefit costs per employee are expected to increase by an average of 8.2% nationally next year, according to preliminary findings...