Funding Available for Kansas Organizations Improving Access to Health Care in Rural and Frontier Areas
-
Grants ranging from $40,000 to $50,000 will support
organizations that address health needs for Kansans who live in rural
and frontier areas -
Programs must encourage a “whole person” approach to care,
leverage telehealth or incorporate community health workers -
UnitedHealthcare accepting RFPs by nonprofits, Federally
Qualified Health Centers and other organizations at communitygrants@uhc.com
TOPEKA, Kan.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–UnitedHealthcare is now accepting proposals from community nonprofits
and government agencies aimed at improving health resources and programs
for Kansas residents living in rural and frontier areas.
The RFP was developed following a community brainstorming session that
brought together health care providers and other stakeholders from
across the state to develop strategies to address the issue. Initial
grants will range from $40,000 to $50,000 each. Funding will be provided
to programs and one-time projects for up to 12 months.
Programs and projects must meet at least one of the following priorities:
-
Integrate behavioral and physical health care systems to encourage a
“whole person” approach to care. -
Leverage telehealth: behavioral health specialists, primary
care/specialists, health educators and peer support. - Further develop workforce/incorporate community health workers.
Kansans who live in rural and frontier areas often have to travel long
distances to see a health care provider, and limited options can make
accessing preventive, specialty and emergency care challenging. In
addition:
-
According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment,
approximately 30 percent of Kansans live in rural or frontier areas,
with more than 80 counties established as areas with shortages of
primary care health professionals1. -
According to 2016
KIDS COUNT data, youth in rural and frontier Kansas have a higher
percentage of teen violent deaths, tobacco use and binge drinking
compared to kids in urban and semi-urban Kansas. -
In the past year, the number of Kansas children in poverty increased
3.8 percent, according UnitedHealth Foundation’s America’s
Health RankingsTM report.
“We recognize the health challenges facing many people living in rural
and frontier areas, and welcome the opportunity to partner with the
community to improve access to the quality health care that Kansans need
and deserve,” said Kevin Sparks, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of
Kansas.
Qualifying organizations, including Kansas-based nonprofits, Federally
Quality Health Centers (FQHCs) and public/government agencies can
receive the full RFP by contacting communitygrants@uhc.com.
Applicants that do not meet this qualification may apply in partnership
with one of the organizations listed above as the lead organization.
Proposals are due Feb. 17, 2017. Awardees will be notified by April 28,
2017.
About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare
is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by
simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and
wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care
providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit
programs for individuals, employers, military service members, retirees
and their families, and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and
contracts directly with more than 1 million physicians and care
professionals, and 6,000 hospitals and other care facilities nationwide.
UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE:
UNH), a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company. For more
information, visit UnitedHealthcare at www.uhc.com
or follow @myUHC on Twitter.
1Primary Care Health Professional Underserved Areas Report.
2014. Kansas Department of Health and Environment Bureau of Community
Health Systems Kansas Primary Care Office. http://www.kdheks.gov/olrh/
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Contacts
UnitedHealthcare
Garrett Kasper, 314-592-7347
garrett_kasper@uhc.com
