Each year in Kentucky, July marks the implementation of legislation passed in the previous legislative session. This month, along with other new laws taking effect, Kentucky has seen the implementation of House Bill 525 from 2022, which designated services offered by Certified Community Health Workers to be Medicaid eligible in Kentucky. Following the 2022 legislative session, the Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) filed a state plan amendment and began work to create billing codes and processes to support the work of community health workers (CHWs) within Kentucky Medicaid, taking effect July 1, 2023.  

As defined by the American Public Health Association, a community health worker is a frontline public health worker who is a trusted member of and/or has an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a link between health and social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery. A community health worker also builds individual and community capacity by increasing health knowledge and self-sufficiency through a range of activities such as outreach, community education, informal counseling, social support and advocacy. 

Community Health Workers have existed in Kentucky for over 25 years and play a critical role in the delivery of health and social services in their communities. In 2016, the Kentucky Association of Community Health Workers (KYACHW) was formed to advocate and promote the profession of CHWs in the Commonwealth.  

Today, there are more than 200 certified CHWs in the state providing health education and coaching, making connections to needed resources, assisting patients in their navigation of the healthcare system, and ensuring culturally appropriate care. CHWs often reach their patients outside of a traditional care setting by providing care in homes, schools, and community locations such as health departments. Community health workers are key care team members addressing social determinants of health, such as housing, food security, and health coverage, supporting the overall health and wellbeing of their patients.  

Learn more about CHW certification, Medicaid eligible services, and the important role CHWs play in your community from the Kentucky Office of Community Health Workers.  

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