KY Medicaid COVID-19 Information

The information on this page is specific to Medicaid beneficiaries and providers. For more information about COVID-19, refer to the state COVID-19 website.

During the COVID-19 State of Emergency, individuals who need medical insurance coverage for doctors, pharmacy or hospital services should complete the Healthcare Coverage Application. This coverage is temporary and ends two months after the application month unless you submit an application for regular Medicaid. For application help, contact an application assister through the Application Assister Web Page or call the Kentucky Healthcare Customer Service line toll free (855) 459-6328. For a listing of participating medical providers please see the Kentucky Medicaid Provider Directory. If you have questions or need more information about a participating provider, you can call toll free (800) 635-2570.

Provider General Information

Provider Letter #A-107: COVID-19 Presumptive Eligibility
Provider Letter A-105: COVID-19 Guidance for all Medicaid providers
KY Draft 1135 Flexibilities Approval Letter
Families First Coronavirus Response Act - increased FMAP FAQ
NADSP Onboardng DSPs during COVID-19 Crisis
Social Security Administration: Significant changes to operations and policies

CMS COVID-19 News

New HHS Announces Enhanced Provider Portal, Relief Fund Payments for Safety Net Hospitals, Medicaid and CHIP Providers

CMS has issued answers to frequently asked questions regarding patient presentation to the emergency department, Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act applicability across facility types, qualified medical professionals, medical screening exams, patient transfer and stabilization, telehealth and other topics.

Long-term care facilities news and updates

New CMS Issues Nursing Homes Best Practices Toolkit to Combat COVID-19
Updated cases and response activities
Requesting PPE FactSheet
LTC Admissions and Transfers Guidance
Nursing Facility Per Diem Add-On Provider Letter and FAQ
Kentucky Nurse Aide COVID-19 Information and Procedures

New Kentucky Level-of-Care System (KLOCS) Go-Live and Training

The new planned go-live for the KLOCS is Aug. 3, 2020. LTC, ICF/IDD facilities and hospice providers are required to use KLOCS starting Aug. 3 to receive payment. Beginning July 20, DMS will offer a free two-part Zoom webinar on KLOCS system functionality. Staff who handle LOC applications are encouraged to participate. Registration information will be provided in the coming weeks. Thank you for your understanding and continued commitment to keeping your communities and residents safe.

Nursing Facilities and Nurse Aide Training Providers

Medicaid temporarily has waived the mandatory 16 hours of supervised clinical instruction prior to testing and the skills demonstration portion of the final exam until further notice. Upon employment, the mandatory 16 hours of supervised clinical instruction must be completed within the first 30 days of employment. The Department for Medicaid has increased the testing window 30 days allowing 150 days from date of employment to be listed on the registry. The department will monitor and update these waivers as needed during this health emergency.

HCBS Waiver Information

Approved Appendix K for 1915(c) HCBS Waivers

COVID-19 FAQ for 1915(c) HCBS Waivers
Provider Letter: COVID-19 Holiday Guidance for Residential Providers
Provider Letter A-106: COVID-19 and Telehealth for Behavioral Health Providers
Provider Letter: COVID-19 Guidance for 1915(c) HCBS waiver providers
Provider Letter: COVID-19 and Telehealth for 1915(c) HCBS waiver providers
Provider Letter: COVID-19 and Waiver Provider Certification and Monitoring
Provider Letter: COVID-19 ABI and MPW Assessments
Provider Letter: COVID-19 and Model II Assessments
Provider Letter: Reporting COVID-19 Cases for 1915(c) HCBS Waivers
Provider Letter: ADHC and ADT Temporary Closure Information

What’s New

U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Provider Relief Fund Eligibility and Updated Reporting Requirements

(Oct. 22, 2020) The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the latest Provider Relief Fund (PRF) application period has been expanded to include more provider applicants who have not yet received PRF distributions. These providers and all phase 3 applicants have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time, Nov. 6, 2020 to submit applications for payment consideration.

The list below includes eligible providers and practices that now may apply for phase 3 funding regardless of whether they accept Medicaid or Medicare.

Eligible Practices and Types of Providers

Allopathic and osteopathic physicians
Allopathic and osteopathic physicians
Ambulatory health care facilities
Assisted living facilities
Behavioral health providers
Behavioral health providers
Chiropractors
Dental providers
Dental providers
Emergency medical service providers
Eye and vision services providers
Hospice providers
Hospital units
Laboratories
Nursing service and related providers
Nursing and custodial care facilities
Physician assistants and advanced practice nursing providers
Podiatric medicine and surgery service providers
Residential treatment facilities
Respiratory, developmental, rehabilitative and restorative service providers

Updated Reporting Requirements

HHS has amended reporting instructions for the use of PRF money to recoup lost revenue due to coronavirus. After reimbursing healthcare-related expenses due to coronavirus not reimbursed by other sources, providers may use remaining PRF funds to cover lost revenue measured as a negative change in year-over-year actual revenue from patient care related sources.

Links to Information

Read the Press Release
Read the policy memorandum on the reporting requirement decision
Read the amended reporting requirements guidance
Learn more about the Provider Relief Program,

New Long-Term Care Resource

(Oct. 15, 2020) CHFS Office of Inspector General Long -Term Care COVID -19 Resources

COVID-19 Flow Chart for testing coverage for Nursing Facility Residents.

(Sept. 22, 2020) - The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services released information to help states, nursing facilities and other providers better understand the sources of Medicare and Medicaid coverage and payment for COVID-19 testing, including a flow chart detailing testing coverage for nursing facility residents. We encourage you to view the Coverage and Payment for COVID-19 Testing in Nursing Facilities Flow Chart,

Cost Report Update

(July 14, 2020) The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) authorized delay of some Medicare cost reports. For providers who have received an extension through CMS or the designated Medicare Administrative Contractor, the KY Department for Medicaid Services also grants the same extension.

Please call (502) 564-8196 if you have any questions and ask for the staff referenced below based on provider type.

Provider Type	DMS Contact
Home Health	Tara Brewer
Hospital	Barb McCarter
Nursing Facility	Lynette Gurney

Medicaid COVID-19 FAQ
Re-Opening Adult Day Health Center
Re-Opening Adult Day Training
Phased restoration of group activities, communal dining, off-site appointments and visitation

Member Information

August is Immunization Awareness Month

Please make sure your children are up to date on their shots. Immunizations help prevent diseases like hepatitis B, polio and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR or MMRV vaccine). Schedule an appointment with a doctor now to ensure your children are protected. Please see the following awareness materials:

If you are a Medicaid member, visit the Department for Public Health immunization page for more information. If you are a Medicaid provider and would like to participate in the Vaccines for Children Program visit the program website.

Vaccine recommendations during COVID-19 outbreak

Applying for Medicaid

Individuals may apply for Medicaid only by calling the Kentucky Healthcare Customer Service line toll-free at (855) 459-6328 or contacting an application assister through the Kentucky Health Benefit Exchange website.

Apply for all public assistance programs by visiting the kynect website or by calling the DCBS Call Center toll free at (855) 306-8959.

Additional Information

SAMHSA OTP Guidance
SAMHSA issued guidance allowing states with and without emergency declarations to allow opioid treatment programs to provide 28 days of take-home medication to stable patients and 15 days of medication to less stable patients the OTP believes
SAMHSA 42 CFR Part 2 Guidance
SAMHSA issued guidance which allows providers to share patient SUD diagnosis information normally protected under 42 CFR Part 2 in instances of a bona fide medical emergency. The use of the medical emergency exception must be documented by providers.
CMS Guidance on Postponing Elective Surgery
CMS issued guidance to stakeholders advising limits on all non-essential planned surgeries and procedures, including dental procedures. The guidance provides a triaging method to assist with decisions in this area.
CMS Guidance to Catastrophic Coverage Plans
CMS issued an FAQ clarifying that catastrophic coverage plans must include coverage of COVID-19 diagnosis and treatment under the essential health benefits. CMS will waive enforcement actions against any such plan which provides COVID-19 services before patients pay the plan deductible and encourage plans and states to provide such pre-deductible coverage.