The KanCare program will be hosting educational meetings for members in 16 cities across Kansas from Feb. 18 to 21, including a stop in Garden City on Feb. 19. Announcements about these meetings are being mailed to each KanCare household.
Two meetings are scheduled in each city. Garden City's KanCare meetings will start at 1 and 6 p.m. on Feb. 19 at the north central ballroom of the Clarion Inn, 1911 E. Kansas Ave.
This is the first educational tour since KanCare launched on Jan. 1. While previous tours focused on what Medicaid consumers would need to know about KanCare starting in 2013, the upcoming round of meetings will be dedicated to helping members with questions about the ongoing transition, including the 90-day choice period for health plan coverage.
The state and the three KanCare health plans — Amerigroup, Sunflower State Health Plan and UnitedHealthcare — will continue holding daily Rapid Response calls through Feb. 15. Each business day at 9 a.m., KanCare consumers and providers who have implementation issues can bring them to the direct attention of state Medicaid officials and top leaders from the health plans.
The rapid response call was established to assist those directly impacted by the new Medicaid delivery system. Dial-in information for this operated-assisted call is updated regularly on the KanCare website at www.kancare.ks.gov/events.htm
The standard assistance lines remain available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact information for consumers and providers can be found here — http://www.kancare.ks.gov/contact_us.htm.
Registration now open for bicycle tour
Registration is now open for the 2013 Biking Across Kansas bicycle tour. The eight-day tour — a 507-mile ride across the state — begins June 8, originating at the Kansas-Colorado line west of Johnson City. Overnight stops will be in Sublette, Dodge City, Coldwater, Anthony, Arkansas City, Sedan and Oswego.
The cyclists' final night together will be in Oswego on June 14. The following morning they will cycle to the Missouri border east of Galena and will finish and enjoy a celebration picnic in Galena.
BAK is also routed through Ulysses, Satanta, Montezuma, Ford, Greensburg, Medicine Lodge, Caldwell, Cedarvale, Independence, Cherryvale, Columbus and other Kansas towns.
For more information or to register, visit www.bak.org.
YMCA to offer water aerobics classes
Garden City Family YMCA has three upcoming water aerobics classes, with registration due by Feb. 12. Fees are $25 for members and $50 for program participants.
"H20 TKO" is a high-energy workout using the fundamentals of boxing. It includes shadow boxing, kicks and blocks, and jumping rope. The class is offered at 6:45 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays starting Feb. 18.
"Power Waves" is a high-intensity, cross-training workout that is non-impact. The class is offered at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Feb. 19.
"Aerobic Waves" is a shallow water class that provides a cardiovascular workout, increased flexibility and enhanced strength without stress on your joints. This class is offered at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Feb. 19.