There are two local satellite offices: Johnson County and Wichita. Offices are staffed by KanCare Ombudsman volunteers who have an initial 30 hours of training on Medicaid and customer service and ongoing education classes as they continue to work.
Volunteers assist beneficiaries with questions, issues with the KanCare Clearinghouse and managed care organizations (MCOs), and completing KanCare applications. For in person application assistance, see the Assistance Guide on the Ombudsman Resource Page for a location near you.
The KanCare Ombudsman is Kerrie Bacon. She has served as KanCare Ombudsman for over nine years. During that time, the office has grown from 1.5 staff positions to three full-time staff, Americorps volunteers, long-term office volunteers, and interns from local universities that assist the office on a short-term basis. The KanCare Ombudsman Office has two satellite offices with trained volunteers to help KanCare applicants and members that call on the toll free KanCare Ombudsman number.
The KanCare Ombudsman has helped people with disabilities for many years. Before becoming the Ombudsman, Ms. Bacon worked for the Kansas Commission on Disability Concerns for more than 10 years, as Interim Executive Director at the Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities and in KDADS’ Money Follows the Person program.
Ms. Bacon has done a great deal of work helping people find resources, answering questions and resolving their issues. Those skills are very helpful when working with people who contact the KanCare Ombudsman Office.
Treating people with respect and dignity is a core value in the KanCare Ombudsman Office. The primary role of the KanCare Ombudsman office is to help people understand how to navigate the KanCare system and assist them in solving problems.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Special Terms and Conditions help define the roles and and duties of the KanCare Ombudsman Office.
Please call or email the KanCare Ombudsman Office to talk about concerns you may have.
Toll-Free: 1-855-643-8180
Relay: 711
Email: KanCare.Ombudsman@ks.gov