Allegation of coercion by Kansas Medicaid companies denied

TOPEKA — An attorney Friday alleged the companies running Kansas’ privatized Medicaid system are coercing those who live with disabled individuals by threatening to move the individuals into institutions unless they provide free care.

The managed care organizations in KanCare, also called MCOs, have cut the hours of care they are providing to people with disabilities on the basis that the individuals are living with a “capable person” who will provide services for free “rather than see their loved one forced into an institution,” said Kimberly Westhusing-Kass, an attorney based in Leawood.

One of the managed care companies denied the charge in absolute terms. Mike Randol, the state’s Medicaid director, neither confirmed nor denied the allegations of coercion.

“I can’t comment on whether coercion took place or not,” Randol said.

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