Community Resources

My family has lost health insurance coverage

Many employers offer employees the ability to add coverage or to add a spouse and/or dependent to existing coverage. Below is the process for employees to add coverage through the State of Kansas Employee Health Plan (SEHP). For coverage through other employers, please consult with that employer regarding their process.

The loss of other health insurance coverage is a qualifying event (QE) to gain new coverage through the State of Kansas Employee Health Plan (SEHP) or to add a spouse and/or dependent(s) to your existing coverage. Active benefits-eligible state employees, their legal spouses (including common-law), and any children or step-children under age 26 are eligible for coverage.  If you are not a benefits-eligible state employee, loss of other health insurance coverage would be a qualifying event (QE) to elect new coverage through the Healthcare Exchange (see Other Community Health Resources below).

To request health insurance coverage for yourself or eligible family members who have recently lost coverage, your request and documentation of the QE must be submitted within 31 days of the last day of health insurance coverage. If your spouse and/or dependent(s) have not been previously covered by SEHP, dependent documentation must be provided.

Documentation of Qualifying Event must include:

• The name/letterhead of the employer or insurance company providing previous coverage
• The names of all affected individuals
• The specific coverages affected (medical, dental, vision, etc.)
• The reason coverage will end or has ended (e.g., termination of employment)
• The date that coverage will end or has ended

Dependent documentation must include:

• For spouses - marriage license or most recent Form 1040/1040A (if filing jointly)
• For children - birth certificate or record of birth abroad
• For step-children - both marriage license and birth certificate/record of birth abroad

To make your request:

Once all documentation has been gathered, send to TotalRewards@wichita.edu in PDF format. Use an email address that you monitor regularly, as additional action steps may be required on your part. A member of the Human Resources Total Rewards team will contact you within one University business day with your next steps to ensure coverage for your family.

Other Community Health Resources Available

• Healthcare Exchange — coverage offered through the Affordable Care Act
• Sedgwick County Health Department
• HealthCore Clinic
• Medical Service Bureau
• HCA Uninsured Patient Advisor Hotline - This free service is offered by HCA Healthcare.  It is being shared with Wichita State University employees as an available resource, if needed.  Wichita State University is not affiliated with and is not endorsing this service.

WSU Resources

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

As an employee of the State, benefits-eligible employees of WSU and their dependents have access to EAP services at no charge. EAP can provide information and connect you with professionals who can help with a wide variety of services and your use of EAP services is completely confidential.

Some services provided are:

• Connecting with a financial expert for financial related issues and questions
• Legal advice for concerns such as divorce, custody, adoption, real estate, debt, landlord/tenant issues, etc.
• Locating support groups
• Short-term personal counseling services
• Family and parenting questions
• Customized resources and referrals for child and elder care, moving, pet care, home repair, selling a home, college planning and more.

You can find more information from Kansas Department of Health. To check out the EAP services offered visit the EAP Website using Company ID: SOKEAP or call EAP at 1-888-275-1205 (option 1).

Shocker Support Locker

The Shocker Support Locker is located in the Grace Wilkie Hall Room 103. The Locker is open Monday through Thursday from 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM (except when campus is closed). There are a variety of non-perishable food items such as canned fruits, vegetables, proteins, snacks, soups, meals and mixes, and grains and starches such as rice, noodles, and pasta.

Students, faculty or staff are able to visit the Shocker Support Locker as many times per week as needed and may take up to 25 items per week. You will need to bring a valid WSU ID and use it each time you visit to access the Locker.

For additional information, visit the Shocker Support Locker website.

Financial Aid

If you, your spouse or dependent are enrolled at Wichita State at least half-time, please contact the Financial Aid office at (316) 978-3430 or via email at finaid@wichita.edu if you meet the following criteria:

• You have been awarded federal financial aid for the current or future academic year   AND
• You have been impacted by a layoff longer than 10 weeks

Financial Aid can then discuss with you a “professional judgment” to re-evaluate the income reported on your financial aid application. A professional judgment is an appeal process that, in some cases, allows a student who was previously not eligible for grant (free) funds to become eligible based on submitted documentation.

Wichita Area Community Resources

There are many resources available within the Wichita and Kansas communities that do not require an individual be an employee of the State of Kansas or WSU.

• Department of Labor Aviation Worker Response Resources
• For information on applying for Unemployment benefits.
• The Wichita branch of the Kansas Unemployment Office can be reached at 316-383-9947.