Kansas
Kansas inspector general’s report identifies weakness in financial oversight of Medicaid – Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — An audit by the Medicaid inspector normal in Kansas recognized oversight shortcomings within the state’s dwelling and neighborhood based mostly service packages that raised questions of potential overpayment to managed-care corporations and management weaknesses at an company within the administration of Gov. Laura Kelly.
Medicaid inspector normal Steven Anderson, who’s assigned to the workplace of the state legal professional normal, concluded Wednesday the Kansas Division of Well being and Atmosphere lacked “an efficient system for monitoring” beneficiaries in this system.
The evaluation lined providers delivered to Medicaid enrollees within the dwelling or neighborhood from January 2018 by way of April 2021. The report was submitted to Legal professional Common Derek Schmidt, Cupboard secretaries at KDHE and the Kansas Division for Growing older and Incapacity Companies, and the Legislature’s joint oversight committee for Medicaid.
The state’s Medicaid system, often called KanCare, serves greater than 440,000 folks. KanCare is a privatized system wherein the state contracts with three corporations to ship $3.9 billion in providers yearly.
Residence and neighborhood based mostly providers, or HCBS providers, are supplied to folks with autism, mind accidents, mental or developmental disabilities, bodily disabilities, extreme emotional disturbances and the frail aged. Companies would possibly embody help with day by day dwelling resembling consuming, bathing and dressing or might lengthen to assist with managing funds or getting ready meals.
Anderson’s report indicated KDHE lacked an efficient system of monitoring whether or not Medicaid beneficiaries ought to be within the dwelling and neighborhood based mostly service program. The lapse raised problems with doable overpayment to KanCare contractors that may very well be of curiosity to federal Medicaid regulators, he stated.
“KDHE doesn’t have an efficient system for monitoring the redetermination of Medicaid beneficiaries on the HCBS program,” Anderson stated within the report. “The quantity and kinds of findings recognized through the audit point out management weaknesses.”
As well as, Anderson’s report stated the three managed-care corporations, or MCOs, failed to meet administration tasks as a result of greater than 2,800 folks recognized as being enrolled in this system didn’t have any fee claims for at the very least 12 months through the 40-month audit interval. People should use HCBS providers at the very least as soon as a month to stay eligible.
The quantity of state funds to Kansas MCOs contracted to supply providers to those idle beneficiaries totaled greater than $193 million, the report stated.
“For the scope of this audit,” Anderson’s report stated, “MCOs are required by contract to observe Medicaid beneficiaries’ use of waiver providers and make the correct notifications if providers should not getting used. It seems, based mostly on the variety of Medicaid beneficiaries that aren’t utilizing waiver providers for prolonged intervals of time, this oversight operate shouldn’t be being met.”
In the meantime, the inspector normal’s report recognized 560 KanCare beneficiaries who had no Medicaid claims aside from the month-to-month cost for an emergency response notification system. If the state had merely paid a rental price for EMS service for these people the price would have been $55,000.
Nevertheless, funds to MCOs working KanCare statewide totaled $8 million to serve the 560 beneficiaries enrolled in Medicaid.
Schmidt and Kelly are each candidates for Kansas governor in 2022. Kelly is in search of re-election as a Democrat, whereas Schmidt is the presumptive Republican nominee.
Administration of Medicaid in Kansas turned extra politicized through the 2022 legislative session when GOP lawmakers moved to dam Kelly from working towards rebidding the $3.9 billion annual contract for KanCare.
A finances provision launched by Republican legislators would delay that course of till after the November election. If handed into legislation, it will be equal to a no-bid, one-year extension of contracts with Sunflower State Well being Plan, United Healthcare and Aetna Higher Well being of Kansas.
KanCare, the state’s privatized system of Medicaid, was launched in 2013 by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback. The target was to regulate the state’s expenditures on Medicaid and enhance providers obtainable to beneficiaries.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Two men who led police on a high-speed chase through Kansas City in a stolen vehicle have been charged in connection to another stolen vehicle.
Jackson County, Missouri, Circuit Court records indicate that Trevon Perkins, 27, and Demont M. Vandunk, have been charged in connection to the armed robbery of a Corvette from a Kansas City detailer and a high-speed chase that followed.
A probable cause statement filed by the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department revealed that just after 5 p.m. on Dec. 20, emergency crews were called to a local parking lot with reports of an armed robbery. When they arrived, they found a local detailer who reported he had been working on a Corvette when it was stolen.
The victim told law enforcement officials that two men, later identified as Perkins and Vandunk, drove up in a black 2018 Camaro before they threatened to shoot him as they took his wallet, keys and belongings.
Investigators noted that Vandunk left the scene in the blue 2023 Corvette while Perkins returned to the Camaro and sped off. Later that night, the Camaro was spotted near E. 67th and Monroe Ave. However, when law enforcement officials attempted to pull the driver – Vandunk – over, he attempted to speed off and started a chase.
Law enforcement officials said they followed Vandunk and Perkins, who was in the passenger seat, down Meyer to Swope Pkwy. and onto Cleveland Ave. as they reached speeds of more than 100 mph. Vandunk lost control of the Camaro before it crashed into another vehicle near 40th and Cleveland.
KCPD said Vandunk and Perkins attempted to run but were quickly taken into custody. During the investigation, it was found that the Camaro had also been stolen out of Kansas City, Kansas. All of the property stolen in the earlier robbery was found and seized.
Vandunk was charged with accessory to robbery, armed criminal action and aggravated fleeing a stop. Perkins was charged with accessory to robbery and armed criminal action as a result. If convicted both could face up to life in prison.
As of Friday, Dec. 27, Perkins remains behind bars on a $75,000 bond. A bond review hearing has been scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, with a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. on Jan. 22.
Vandunk remains behind bars on a $75,000 bond as well. A bond review hearing for him has been set for 10 a.m. on Tuesday with a preliminary hearing also at 2 p.m. on Jan. 22. No further information has been released.
Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.
The Tennessee Titans spent a whole lot of money last offseason, addressing both sides of the ball in a free-agent frenzy.
One of the Titans’ signees was linebacker Kenneth Murray, who was viewed as a rather questionable addition from the start.
Well, now here we are in late 2024, and the Murray acquisition is largely considered a disaster.
As a result, Tennessee could stand to add another inside linebacker heading into the offseason, so why not pursue Kansas City Chiefs star Nick Bolton?
Bolton is one of the best inside linebackers in the NFL and has registered 106 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble, a couple of fumble recoveries and six passes defended this season.
However, due to the Chiefs’ rather tenuous financial situation, it may prove difficult for Kansas City to bring the experienced defender back into the fold.
That opens the door for the Titans, who are set to enter free agency with solid cap room and can certainly afford to add Bolton.
Remember: inside linebackers are no longer valued like they once were, so they don’t typically make big money on the open market. That means Tennessee may be able to land Bolton on a palatable multi-year deal, and that would be a significant boon to the Titans’ defense.
Bolton joined the professional ranks as a second-round pick of the Chiefs in 2021 and immediately established himself as a force, posting 112 tackles during his rookie campaign.
The following year, the 24-year-old was even better, racking up 180 tackles, a pair of sacks and two interceptions.
Bolton has also been a member of two Super Bowl-winning Kansas City squads, so he brings ample big-game experience to the table.
While offense is certainly a bigger issue for Tennessee, it needs to address its defense, as well, and Bolton would represent a major get.
Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!
Kansas
'We'll prevail again this year': Kansas City illuminates City Hall Menorah, celebrating Hanukkah
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas alongside local Jewish leaders Thursday night illuminated the City Hall Menorah to celebrate Hanukkah.
“We are reminded that we all have beloved traditions and even share cultural themes and values in common,” said Neta Meltzer, the interim executive director for the American Jewish Committee. “We all share this community and each of our thriving is tied to, and dependent on the thriving of others.”
Jack McCormick/KSHB
Across the globe, 15.7 million Jews are celebrating Hanukkah, known as the “Festival of Lights.” In Hebrew, Hanukkah translates to “dedication.” The holiday commemorates the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.
In 164 BC, a group of Jewish fighters, Maccabees, at the command of Judah of Maccabees engaged in battle with the Greek army, which captured the city of Jerusalem in 200 BC.
Judah and his fighters took back the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. They attempted to re-light their menorah, a then oil-based candelabra, used in Jewish worship.
The fighters found there was only enough oil to hold light for one day. In a miracle, the menorah remained lit for eight days.
Jews commemorate ancestral efforts in the annual Hanukkah holiday, celebrating freedom from injustice.
Jack McCormick/KSHB
“The Jews have absolutely become a resilient people. Certainly back in the times of Hanukkah but so many different times during our history,” explained Jay Lewis, the president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City. “Now today and in the post-October 7th world, there is rising anti-semitism. Our resilience gets tested again and Hanukkah is a good reminder we are resilient, we are a strong people, and we prevailed many times and we’ll prevail again this year.”
Jack McCormick/KSHB
The 2024 Menorah Lighting celebration at Kansas City’s City Hall has only taken place a handful of times. This year, it symbolizes the Jewish community’s presence in the Metro.
“We started it to make sure everybody knew they were welcome, from all faith communities in Kansas City. But certainly for our Jewish sisters and brothers, that you knew you always have a home here at City Hall,” Mayor Lucas told those in attendance.
Jack McCormick/KSHB
For the first time since 2005, the first night of Hanukkah fell on Dec. 25, Christmas Day. Since 1900, the holiday’s first night has fallen on Christmas five times: 1910, 1921, 1959, 2005, and now 2024.
Judaism follows the 354-day-long lunar calendar, following the length of time it takes for the moon to revolve around the sun.
Hanukkah lasts eight nights. The shorter lunar calendar means each year, the holiday starts 11 days earlier and can begin as early as Thanksgiving.
Jack McCormick/KSHB
“It’s a beautiful metaphor that Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa are all right here at the same time. They’re all about light, warmth, and bringing more light into the world. The Jewish community feels totally integrated in the Kansas City Community,” added Lewis. “It’s not this way in every city. In Kansas City, we have multiple religions and cultures that can all be intertwined the way Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah are. The fact we can be inside City Hall having this kind of celebration, I don’t think it gets any better than that.”
Jack McCormick/KSHB
Lewis says Jewish communities have remained safe in history during times of strife through their healthy relationship with elected officials and the government.
Thursday night’s display offered Marcee Levin, an Overland Park native, the chance to become more connected in her hometown.
“I just moved back home after being gone for 40 years,” Levin said. “This ceremony shows strength. Having city hall sponsor this shows the Jewish community in Kansas City is so strong and tight-knit.”
Jack McCormick/KSHB
The first night of Hanukkah was Dec. 25 and the final night is Jan. 2. The 12-foot blue menorah located outside City Hall will illuminate a new candle each night of Hanukkah at 7 p.m.
—
KSHB 41 reporter Ryan Gamboa covers Miami County in Kansas and Cass County in Missouri. Share your story idea with Ryan.
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