March 15, 2002 - SRS receives go-ahead from federal government on ‘Working Healthy'

The federal department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently approved a Kansas plan that will allow people with disabilities, who want to return to work, retain Medicaid health insurance coverage. The "Working Healthy" program, being developed by the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services (SRS) and community partners, will remove a key barrier, which will allow more Kansans with disabilities to lead productive, working lives.

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson recently announced the approval of Working Healthy, saying the program would make it possible for people with disabilities to find and keep jobs without fear of losing health care coverage.

The Working Healthy program will extend Medicaid eligibility to cover working people with disabilities, ages 16 to 64, with family incomes up to 300 percent of the federal poverty level, and with assets up to $15,000. Eligible beneficiaries with family incomes above 100 percent of the federal poverty level will pay a premium to participate in the program. The federal poverty level for a family of three is $15,020 a year.

The program, which is expected to go into effect July 1, is estimated to help about 1,000 Kansas workers with disabilities.

SRS Secretary Janet Schalansky said Working Healthy will allow someone with a disability to work in a competitive environment, earn more money, and retain needed health care coverage. She pointed out that millions of Americans receive social security benefits, but fewer than one out of every 500 leaves that roll by returning to work. "Working Healthy is founded on the philosophy of encouraging people to develop assets that will allow them to move off public assistance," said Secretary Schalansky. "Many people with disabilities want to work, but worry that doing so could jeopardize their vital health care coverage. This program offers them an opportunity to keep their Medicaid coverage while on the job."

Kansas is able to make changes in Medicaid policy in part due to grants from HHS's Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Service which were made available after Congress passed the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. Kansas received a $530,000 Medicaid Infrastructure Grant last year and will receive an additional $500,000 grant this year.