Kentucky Homeplace, WellCare of Kentucky partner to distribute free gas cards

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Sept. 22, 2022) — Over the previous few years, many medically underserved Kentuckians have delayed in search of care to assist handle power situations or to make preventative medical appointments. First, COVID-19 restrictions saved individuals from making appointments. Now, a steep rise in gasoline costs has made attending to appointments much more tough.

To alleviate the monetary pressure of excessive gasoline costs and to encourage individuals to make and preserve necessary appointments, Kentucky Homeplace (KHP) and WellCare of Kentucky have partnered to distribute free gasoline playing cards to present WellCare Medicaid members. KHP, a program of the College of Kentucky’s Middle of Excellence in Rural Well being (UK CERH), is coordinating the distribution of their 32-county service space in Japanese Kentucky.

“We perceive that many people have fallen behind on preventive care throughout the pandemic and because of the excessive value of gasoline,” mentioned Fran Feltner, Ph.D., director of the UK CERH and principal investigator of KHP. “This program goes to assist lots of people get again on monitor.”

The mission is supported by a $15,000 present from WellCare.

“Lack of transportation is usually a barrier for our members, particularly those that stay in additional rural areas,” mentioned Corey Ewing, plan president and CEO of WellCare. “We don’t need the shortcoming to fill their tank to maintain them from making and conserving what in some instances will be livesaving appointments.”

KHP neighborhood well being employees will establish shoppers of their 32-county service space of Japanese Kentucky who’ve fallen behind on preventive care, and who’re WellCare Medicaid members, to attach them with this chance.

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About WellCare Kentucky

WellCare of Kentucky gives government-sponsored managed care providers to households, youngsters, seniors, and people with advanced wants primarily by Medicaid, Medicare Benefit and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans throughout the state. WellCare is a completely subsidiary of Centene Company, a number one well being care enterprise dedicated to serving to individuals stay more healthy lives. For extra data, please go to www.wellcare.com/kentucky.

About Kentucky Homeplace

Residents of rural Kentucky have unusually excessive ranges of sure illnesses. These embrace most cancers, coronary heart illness, hypertension, bronchial asthma and diabetes. Life-style decisions, environmental components, insufficient medical health insurance and normal lack of awareness of the healthvcare system are sometimes cited as contributing to this situation. Kentucky Homeplace was created in 1994 by the College of Kentucky Middle of Excellence in Rural Well being to assist tackle these points. Primarily based in Hazard, Kentucky, Kentucky Homeplace’s 32-county neighborhood well being employee initiative has linked tens of hundreds of rural Kentuckians with medical, social and environmental providers they in any other case may need gone with out. For extra data, go to http://kyruralhealth.org.

Concerning the College of Kentucky Middle of Excellence in Rural Well being

The College of Kentucky Middle of Excellence in Rural Well being was established by state laws in 1990 to handle well being disparities in rural Kentucky and the distinctive challenges confronted by our communities. The mission was and nonetheless is in the present day to enhance the well being and well-being of rural Kentuckians. For greater than three many years, the middle has partnered with communities, suppliers, college students and people to offer well being professions training, well being coverage analysis, well being care service and neighborhood engagement towards reaching this mission. For extra data, go to kyruralhealth.org.