Next Steps

• Visit the Department of Medicaid website.
• Visit or call your local Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) office.
• If you have a disability, talk to a Benefits Planner to learn more about health programs for people with disabilities.

You can apply for Medicaid:

• Online at kynect benefits.
• At your Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) office by mail or in person. Note: Due to COVID-19, there may be limits on in-person services. Contact your agency by phone to ask about this. For state programs, try kynect benefits if you cannot contact your local DCBS office.
• By calling the DCBS Family Support Call Center at 1-855-306-8959.

You can apply for SNAP (formerly Food Stamps), Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (K-TAP), and other programs at the same time. A quick online pre-screening process lets you see which programs you might qualify for.

For help with your application, visit or call your local Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) office or contact the Call Center at 1-855-306-8959.

Note: If you get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, you automatically get Medicaid coverage and do not need to apply separately.

• Visit Medicare.gov.
• Use the Medicare Plan Finder to compare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans.
• See how Medicare interacts with private health coverage in How Medicare works with other insurance.
• Contact the Kentucky State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at 1-877-293-7447.
• Call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227 or 1-877-486-2048 (TTY). The line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Read Medicare & You, Medicare’s official handbook, which explains benefits, costs, services, health plans, and prescription drug plans.

To learn more about employer-sponsored coverage, talk to your employer’s Human Resources department. It will know about the specifics of the health coverage options it offers.

• Visit kynect, which has a lot of great information introducing your options.
• Call kynect at 1-855-459-6328, 1-855-306-8959, or 1-800-627-4720 (TTY).
• Get local help from kynect.
• To get an idea of what your premium might be, check out kynect's pre-screening tool.

If you're currently on SSI, SSDI, or CDB benefits, and you're looking for a job, a trained Benefits Planner can help you avoid complications when you are working on a job plan for your future. For questions or guidance specific to your situation, you can speak to someone at the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842 or 1-866-833-2967 (TTY) Monday through Friday from 8:00AM - 8:00PM EST.

View DB101's full list of experts who can help you understand different benefits.