Getting care in Kansas without insurance

What KanCare is and who can get it

KanCare is the name of Medicaid in Kansas. The state describes KanCare as a program that delivers health care to eligible Kansans. KanCare will never charge you to sign up and will never ask for your credit or debit card number. Be careful of anyone who does.

Kansas decides who is eligible, and the rules are narrower than in many states. Parents with children at home can qualify only if their income is very low. It must be well below the federal poverty level, which is a yearly income line the government uses to measure poverty. Adults without children are generally not eligible, no matter how low their income is, unless they are disabled or elderly.

Kansas and Medicaid expansion

Kansas has not expanded Medicaid, so some Kansans with very low incomes fall into a gap. Their income is too low for help with Marketplace plan costs, and they do not qualify for KanCare either.

Community health centers were built for exactly this situation. Rules can change, so ask KanCare for the latest.

How to apply for KanCare

• You can use the KanCare Medical Self-Service portal, where you make an account.
• If you are under 65, you can also apply on HealthCare.gov. If you look eligible, your information is passed on to KanCare.
• You can call 1-800-792-4884 for help choosing a form or to ask for one by mail.
• You can also get an application at the KanCare website.

Kansas lets you apply for Medicaid any time of year, and it costs nothing to try.

What if I do not qualify for KanCare?

Kansas residents can look at Marketplace plans through HealthCare.gov, and many people qualify for help paying the monthly cost. After a job loss, our guide on what to do after losing insurance explains how the sign-up window works. You can also read what to do when you have no insurance for the full picture.

Finding a community health center in Kansas

To find a center in Kansas, use the free Find a Health Center tool from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Enter your city or zip code to see the nearest ones. These clinics charge by income and family size. Call and ask how to become a new patient, what to bring to show your income, and what they charge.

Our guide to community health centers explains how they work, and our guide on free clinics, health centers and cash-pay doctors can help you choose.

How can I check that a Kansas doctor is licensed?

The Kansas State Board of Healing Arts runs a public search called the Licensee and Registrant Profile Search. The state describes it as a resource for patients and families. You can search by name, license number, city, profession or specialty. It covers medical doctors, osteopathic doctors, chiropractors, podiatrists, physician assistants and other licensed professionals. The Board does not verify the specialty shown, because doctors report it themselves.

You can find the search by looking up the Kansas Board of Healing Arts licensee search on the web.

Direct primary care in Kansas

In direct primary care, a doctor sees you for a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance. The Direct Primary Care Coalition says Kansas is one of the states with a direct primary care law. Our directory lists cash-pay doctors, and you can search by your location.

This is not insurance, and it will not pay for the emergency room, a hospital stay or surgery. Our direct primary care guide explains what a membership usually covers, and our guide to the cost helps you plan.

Emergencies in Kansas

For a life-threatening problem, call 911 or go to the closest emergency room. Federal law says the emergency room must examine you and stabilize you whether or not you have insurance. Nonprofit hospitals must also have a financial assistance program, and our guide to hospital financial assistance shows how to ask. Our emergency room guide has more.