June 2009
Who We Are and What We Do
Children’s Mercy Family Health Partners (CMFHP) is a not-for-profit safety-net health plan owned by Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, a not-for-profit free-standing pediatric health system based in Kansas City.
CMFHP operates an integrated care system that contracts with the states of Kansas and Missouri to provide health insurance benefits to children and adults that are eligible for Medicaid or the State Children’s Health Insurance Plan (“SCHIP”).
Through Kansas HealthWave, CMFHP serves 74 counties in the eastern two-thirds of Kansas.
Through MO HealthNet Managed Care, CMFHP serves beneficiaries in 13 counties in west central Missouri.
We are dedicated to serving low-income families and other vulnerable populations, the providers who care for them, and advocates who assist them.
We are committed to investment in the communities we serve and improving the quality, access and efficiency of health care within those communities.
This newsletter of up-to-date information on improvements, changes and partnerships is an effort to help you as you reach out to the community.
Thank you for your partnership as we continue our commitment to ensure the best care for our members. And please don't hesitate to let us know how we can help you.
Annual report and message from CEO
CMFHP's 2008 Community Report outlines our efforts to serve our members' communities. It includes case studies highlighting our Health Services Department and their in-depth care to several members.
Both the Kansas and the Missouri reports are available as PDFs online (at www.fhp.org/community), along with a short animated slideshow where our CEO, Bob Finuf, discusses our outreach efforts.
Click on the TV icon to see the slideshow.
If you would like a hard copy of the CMFHP 2008 Community Report, please contact your Community Relations Representative.
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CMFHP awarded Silver Honors for Best Practices in Health Management by URAC
Children's Mercy Family Health Partners was awarded Silver Honors for Health Management by leading health care accreditation organization URAC at the organization's national conference April 1-2. The awards are designed to recognized innovative leadership and successful programs in consumer-focused health care management.
CMFHP was honored for its two programs that are designed to empower providers and members with asthma or obesity to manage, treat and prevent complications. The programs work directly with primary care clinicians to educate them on diagnosis and treatment, and directly with members through a health coaching process designed to empower them to manage their disease.
"Our Best Practices Awards Program is a unique celebration of the best the health care industry has to offer. These companies have made a difference in the lives of consumers," said URAC's president in presenting the awards.
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Charlie's Safe Haven works to decrease the number of children hurt or killed by accidents in the home
Charlie’s Safe Haven is a new non-profit organization in the Kansas City Metro area with the objective of decreasing the number of children hurt or killed by accidents in the home. Charlie’s Safe Haven will be a safety demonstration house where parents, grandparents and caregivers will learn how to address safety issues in the home.
The organization is named in honor of Charlie Horn, a Kansas City toddler who died in November 2007 when a 30-inch dresser in his home fell on him. Charlie was two years old. (Click for media coverage from 2007)
In its first year, Charlie’s Safe Haven has:
- raised over $66,000
- provided more than 10,000 furniture safety straps to families
- provided information to new mothers
- participated in 12 community events, and
- assisted the Horn family in getting a resolution passed in the Missouri Legislature to urge the U.S. Congress and Consumer Product Safety Commission to enact regulations for use of furniture safety standards for tip-prone furniture.
Furniture straps are available at many baby specialty stores. You can also find them online. If you know someone who needs assistance finding or buying furniture straps, Charlie’s Safe Haven may be able to help. Contact Julie at 913-375-7123 or visit
www.charliessafehaven.org.
In 2009, fundraising efforts are currently underway to purchase a house and to provide educational outreach to members of the community. Children’s Mercy Family Health Partners has been a supporter of Charlie’s Safe Haven, and has made a generous donation in both 2008 and 2009. For more information, to download a childproofing check list or make a donation, visit their website.
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Recession leads to increase in Kansas applications, says KHPA
As predicted, the economic downturn is now causing a sharp rise in the number of applications for Medicaid assistance in Kansas, putting a strain on the ability of state Medicaid officials to handle the increased volume.
Since the start of Fiscal Year 2009, according to information released by the Kansas Health Policy Authority, the number of new applications and annual reviews for benefits under Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program has grown by an average of 987 applications per month, compared to the same month in FY2008. That represents about a 9 percent increase over last year, or nearly twice the rate of growth that was projected in the November consensus caseload estimates.
"Given the statewide hiring freeze, no additional staff has been added to accommodate the increased workload," said Dr. Andrew Allison, Medicaid Director at KHPA.
Allison noted that there is typically a lag between rising unemployment and new applications for assistance. As a result, he said KHPA expects to see continued growth in applications for assistance, and eventually a marked increase in both enrollment and medical expenses by the fall of 2009.
You can read the complete press release at the KHPA website.
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Health presentations for children available at no charge
Children’s Mercy Family Health Partners offers a variety of health education presentations free of charge to qualifying schools and organizations. The presentations offered are Hand Washing, Nutrition presentations such as, Eating a Healthy Breakfast, Fruits & Veggies, A Balanced Diet, What to Drink, Physical Activity, and Healthy Habits Jeopardy.
What should you expect from a presentation? Here is some recent feedback:
- "I like how she brought in actual tubes of fat so the kids could see how much fat is in a particular food item."
- "Several of my kids decided they would rather have white milk instead of chocolate at snack time now!"
- "Love your classroom management! Way to go! My son in 4th grade commented on several things you had said in their presentation. I guess you made an impact on him!! "
If you would like more information on these presentations, please contact Kim Picker at 816-559-9491 or your Community Relations Representative.
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Give Kids a Smile Day serves over 200
The 2nd Annual Give Kids a Smile Day was held in Wichita, KS on Saturday, March 7, 2009. The Grace Med Dental Clinic graciously hosted the event which served 242 children ages 10 and under for free dental care including cleaning, x/rays, fillings, crowns and extractions. The event is staffed entirely by community volunteers. There were 18 dentists, several dental hygienists and dental assistants who provided $56,972 worth of dental services. The event is sponsored by the Wichita Sedgwick County Oral Health Coalition and is planned again for 2010.
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Beating cabin fever with the Wichita YMCA
The first Wichita YMCA pool party was held on Sunday, Feb 22, 2009 at the Richard A. DeVore South Branch YMCA. CMFHP partnered with local radio station B-98 for live broadcasts from the YMCA. The pool party was open to the public from 1pm-4pm. YMCA staff estimated 150-200 folks attended. CMFHP provided information regarding our Healthy Lifestyles program and HealthWave along with frisbees for kids.
Additional pool parties are being planned at additional locations in Kansas and Missouri - keep an eye on our events calendar or contact your Community Relations Representative for more information.
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Upcoming Events
Please contact your Community Relations Representative to confirm upcoming events; this listing and our online calendar are subject to change without notice.
- Wellness Wednesday at the City Market
- Johnson County Annual School Nurse Workshop
- Excelsior Springs Health Fair
- Community Health and Wellness Expo
- Health Fair
- Wellness Village Health Event
- Health Fair
- Community Health and Wellness Expo
- Wellness Wednesday at the City Market
- Children’s Mercy Hospital Teen Conference
- Wellington Wheat Festival
- KCMO Parks and Recreation Swim Party and Swope Park Day
- Kansas School Nurses Conference July 20-23, 2009
- Councilman Terry Riley’s Back to School Rally
- Community Action Back to School Fair
- Wellness Wednesday at the City Market
- Back to School Blast
- Wellness Wednesday at the City Market
- Kansas State Fair
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
City Market, 20 E. 5th Street, Kansas City, Missouri
Olathe, Kansas
1700 Rainbow Blvd., Excelsior Springs, Missouri
Paola, Kansas
Prince Hall Masonic Lodge
1234 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas
McAdams Park, Wichita, Kansas
Greater Mt. Lebannon MBC
1901 E. 55th St., Kansas City, Missouri
Olathe, Kansas
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
City Market, 20 E. 5th Street, Kansas City, Missouri
Are you looking for a way to connect with other teens that have been through similar medical experiences? We have just the conference for you!
Who should attend?
Teens ages 14-19 who have a chronic diagnosis, illness, or have experienced a life-altering injury.
Why should you attend?
To connect with other teens or parents who have been through similar life experiences.
Conference Time/Date/Location:
The Teen Conference begins at 12:30 on July 8th
Graceland University
1401 W. Truman Rd., Independence, MO 64050
Wellington, Kansas
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Swope Park, 67th Street and Lewis Road, Kansas City, Missouri
A pool party for residents of Kansas City, Missouri at the Swope Park Neighborhood Pool.
Hyatt Regency Wichita, Wichita, Kansas
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Swope Park, Kansas City, Missouri
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Kansas Expocentre
Topeka, Kansas
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
City Market, 20 E. 5th Street, Kansas City, Missouri
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Second Missionary Baptist School, 5111 Harry Truman Dr., Independence, Missouri
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
City Market, 20 E. 5th Street, Kansas City, Missouri
September 11 to 20, 2009
Kansas State Fairgrounds, 2000 N Poplar St., Hutchinson, Kansas
CMFHP will sponsor the 2nd Annual Walkabout.
Do you have an upcoming health fair, committee meeting or community event? We would love to support your efforts and help serve the community. Send us an email with your contact information, and one of our Community Relations Representatives will get in touch with you!
You can also contact Children's Mercy Family Health Partners Customer Service at 1-877-347-9363 (KS) or 1-800-347-9363 (MO)
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Contact Information (click here for a map showing CMFHP Representatives and counties)
Customer Service - Kansas: 1-877-347-9363
Customer Service - Missouri: 1-800-347-9363
Chris Beurman
Community Relations Manager
cbeurman@fhp.org
816-559-9442
Marcie Eckhart-Charay
Sr. Community Relations Representative
Northeastern Kansas
mecharay@fhp.org
785-817-8848
Kathy Gann
Sr. Community Relations Representative
South Central Kansas
kgann@fhp.org
316-573-8383
Nicole Norris
Community Relations Representative
North Central Kansas
nnorris@fhp.org
785-213-9756
Tamara Welty
Bilingual Community Relations Representative
Mid-Central Kansas
twelty@fhp.org
316-841-3441
Kim Picker
Community Relations Representative
South Central Missouri, Johnson County, KS and Franklin County, KS
kpicker@fhp.org
816-559-9491
Veronica Posey-Fallah
Sr. Community Relations Representative
Kansas City Metro area, including Wyandotte County, KS
vposey@fhp.org
816-559-9440
Kelly Goetz
Bilingual Community Relations Representative
Kansas City Metro area (including Johnson County, KS) and Eastern and Southeastern Kansas
kgoetz@fhp.org
816-559-9439
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KS Approved: 04/27/2009 MO Approved: 05/28/2009
Children's Mercy Family Health Partners
P.O. Box 411806
Kansas City MO 64141-1806
1-877-347-9363 KS | 1-800-FHP-9363 MO | www.fhp.org
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