Press Releases: 2009

Governor Beshear teams up with Passport Health Plan to Kick Off "Cover the Uninsured Week"

Governor Beshear, along with University Health Care, Inc. (dba Passport Health Plan) and the Regional Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program (KCHIP) Coalition kicks off "Cover the Uninsured Week" today to raise awareness about low or no cost insurance available to eligible families.

Governor Beshear announced in 2008 that as many as 67,000 children and teens in the Commonwealth may be uninsured, but eligible for KCHIP. "In light of the recent economic downturn, it is more critical than ever that families are enrolled", said Governor Beshear. As part of his commitment to find and enroll children, governor Beshear announced that beginning November 1, 2008 families could mail or fax KCHIP applications to a central processing center in Lexington, Kentucky. According to Governor Beshear, "This initiative is critical to the Commonwealth’s future", said Governor Beshear. Insured children receive their scheduled well-child checks and immunization. They are more likely to stay healthy and go to school. That is Kentucky's future.

In January 2009, University Health Care, Inc. (UHC) dba Passport Health Plan committed to Governor Beshear’s initiative by developing the Regional KCHIP Coalition that is comprised of a broad consortium of advocates and service providers for children and teens. Larry N. Cook, MD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Passport Health Plan and Executive Vice President of Health Affairs for the University of Louisville said, "We are pleased to step up and assist the governor in this important initiative. Children who are covered by Medicaid and KCHIP are more likely to access primary car and preventive services".

The initiative includes an aggressive public awareness campaign and the introduction of eight (8) KCHIP Enrollment Specialists who will be located throughout the community to provide free assistance to families applying for KCHIP. According to Bill Wagner, Regional KCHIP Coalition Chairman and Executive Director of Family Health centers, Inc., "This is an important step in meeting the Governor’s goal. We believe families will have a more positive application experience if they work one-on-one with an advocate who can guide them through the process".

University Health Care, Inc., dba Passport Health Plan provides Medicaid managed care services for over 150,000 members in Jefferson and the 15 surrounding counties. The counties of service include Breckinridge, Bullitt, Carroll, Grayson, Hardin, Henry, Jefferson, Larue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, Trimble, and Washington. Passport Health Plan is sponsored by the University of Louisville Medical School Practice Association, University of Louisville Hospital, Jewish and St. Mary’s Healthcare, Norton Healthcare, and the Louisville/Jefferson County Primary Care Association, which includes the Jefferson County Health Department and Louisville's two federally qualified health centers, Family Health Centers and Park DuValle. U.S News & World Report and the National Committee for Quality Assurance ranks Passport Health Plan #9 in the top 25 Medicaid ‘America’s Best Health Plans 2008.

University Health Care, Inc. contracts with AmeriHealth Mercy Health Plan for administrative services. AmeriHealth Mercy and its affiliates comprise the largest family of Medicaid managed care plans in the United States, touching the lives of over two million embers nationwide. AmeriHealth Mercy specializes in providing management care services and management for publicly funded programs, with special expertise in Medicaid, Medicare and State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (SCHIP). For more information, please visit AmeriHealth Mercy.