December 15, 2008
A Message from the YKHC Medicaid Office
Prenatal Care assistance available through Denali Kid Care
by Dorothy Chase, Patient Resources Coordinator
Are you pregnant? Do you think you may be pregnant? Do you know someone pregnant? Did you know that Alaska's Denali Kid Care (DKC) Program offers coverage for prenatal visits and continues through the 6-8 week postpartum check-up?
Denali Kid Care is also referred to as Pregnant Women's Medicaid. Coverage may include airfare, lodging, meals and taxi vouchers. This coverage is a benefit.
It is strongly recommended that once a woman knows she is pregnant, she should apply for Denali Kid Care right away. This ensures that she will have coverage from the beginning of her pregnancy and avoid any delays in her prenatal care. The sooner an application is submitted the sooner the coverage begins.
Once a positive pregnancy test is done, a Health Care Provider, Nurse, Health Aide or ANY health care official can fill out the Pregnancy Verification form and sign it. The YKHC Family Medicine Clinics and Village Clinics have these forms. This form will show proof that a woman is pregnant and the date she is due.
Once an application is submitted the average wait time is approximately two to four weeks. When submitting an application, the following are required: Proof of Lawful Immigration Status (Birth Certificates), Identification (State ID or Driver's License), Proof of Income for the last 30 days (Copy of Pay Stubs) and a Pregnancy Verification Form. The application may take longer to approve if some of these documents are not submitted with the initial application. There are income guidelines for all applicants but it is important to complete the application to check if you are eligible.
We all know that it is expensive to fly. Airfare for medical appointments can be paid if a pregnant woman has Denali Kid Care. Occasionally, a pregnant woman needs further testing and/or treatment in Anchorage. Pregnant women may also need to go to Anchorage to wait and deliver at ANMC or one of the other hospitals. DKC will cover airfare and housing in Anchorage or Bethel.
In the past, YKHC has approved to pay for the first prenatal visit for village patients. The patient must have already applied for Denali Kid Care or they need to apply while in Bethel.
It is important to notify the YKHC scheduling office in advance if you cannot make your scheduled appointment or if you need to reschedule your appointment. If you are traveling from the village you must attend all scheduled appointments. If you leave without being seen, the hospital may report this to DKC and your coverage may end.
As a health corporation, YKHC promotes good health for everyone. It is extremely important for a pregnant woman to receive prenatal care early in her pregnancy and start taking vitamins, iron and calcium that will help her baby to be healthy. Please do your part in being healthy and having a healthy baby by getting prenatal care as soon as you know you are pregnant.
Denali Kid Care also covers children in the household who fall within the income guidelines. Please contact the YKHC Medicaid Office for more information.
If you need an application, need assistance with an application or would like to know the status of your application, please contact Dorothy Chase at 1-800-478-3321 Extension 6470, in Bethel 543-6470 or through email at
Dorothy_Chase@ykhc.org.