Patient Assistance Specialists Are Here to Help You Access Health Resources

Our Patient Assistance Specialists act as a connection between you and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Medicare, Your Health Idaho and other community resources, to ensure you have access to all the available resources you may need, including:

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​Insurance Enrollment & State Assistance

• Medicare - Health insurance for those 65 or older, under 65 with certain disabilities, and people of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
  • KCH is part of the Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organizations.  For more information about your rights as a beneficiary, please click here.
• Your Health Idaho - Idaho’s insurance marketplace where Idahoans find the right coverage for their needs. The only place to save on monthly premiums with a tax credit.
• Private Insurance Tax Credit - Health insurance tax credits created by the Affordable Care Act and paid to insurers to help eligible Idahoans with monthly insurance premiums.​
• Medicaid - Provides health coverage for children and adults who meet certain eligibility criteria.
  • Individuals with Disabilities  Healthcare coverage for elderly individuals and individuals with intellectual, development and physical disabilities.
  • The Children’s Developmental Disabilities Program Provides a system of care that has an array of home and community based services including intervention and support services.
  • Children's Special Health A financial assistance program for uninsured children with a qualifying medical condition(s) requiring long-term multi-disciplinary medical treatment and rehabilitative measures to improve ability to function.
  • Katie Beckett Program For children living at home with long-term disabilities or complex medical needs, who may be eligible for Medicaid services even if their family income is above federal poverty guidelines.
  • Financial Assistance
    • Temporary Assistance for Families (TAFI) Provides cash assistance for individuals who are 65 or older, blind, or disabled.
    • Aid to the Aged, Blind, and Disabled (AABD) cash assistance  Provides temporary cash benefits for eligible low-income families and households to help pay for food, clothing, shelter, and other essentials.
  • Home and Utility Assistance
    • Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) Helps low-income individuals and families conserve energy, save money and increase the comfort of their homes by making their home more cost effective and energy efficient.
    • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)  Helps Idaho families pay utility bills and weatherize their homes, and provides energy conservation education.
    • Idaho Telephone Service Assistance Program (ITSAP) Helps eligible low-income families pay for basic telephone service installation costs or monthly costs for basic residential phone service.
  • Child Care Assistance - The Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP)  Serves families with children under the age of 13 (or over 13 if a child has a disability), providing child care assistance to working families by paying for a portion of child care.
  • Food Assistance
    • The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)   Helps low-income families buy the food they need in order to stay healthy.
    • WIC Program  A federally funded nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children.
  • Community Resources
    • School lunch program, summer meal program, statewide food program, and emergency food assistance programs.

Community Resources
No matter what your circumstances,  our Patient Assistance Specialists are eager to help you discover options and available resources for your need(s). Community resources are the businesses, public service institutions and charitable organizations that provide assistance and services to local residents. Get help finding food, transportation, paying your bills, finding firewood, and so much more.

Medication Assistance
Kaniksu also contracts with various pharmaceutical companies to provide free medications to eligible patients. To find out if you are eligible for free or discounted medications, make an appointment with our Patient Assistance Specialist.

Program Specifications: The provider prescribing the medication must be employed by KCH. Only certain medications whose manufacturers offer patient assistance programs can be provided free of charge to you.  Eligibility for discounts is based upon your income and assets. You may not be eligible to use the program if you are eligible for insurance reimbursement, Medicaid, or other support programs for your medication. Eligibility varies from company to company. Acceptance into the Medication Assistance Program does not guarantee eligibility for all medications.