LOUISVILLE, Ky. (KT) –The Kentucky Association of Health Plans (KAHP) has announced a $500,000 grant to Samaritan to support 500 Medicaid members in Louisville and Lexington who are experiencing homelessness or unstable housing.
The investment, from the trade association representing Medicaid managed care organizations and commercial insurers in the state, reflects what KAHP terms a shared commitment to helping Kentuckians facing the highest barriers stay connected to care and move toward stability this holiday season.
Samaritan partners with trusted community organizations to help individuals overcome the small but critical barriers that often derail progress—like a lost phone, a bus fare, or the clothing required for a new job. Through Samaritan’s platform, frontline providers set small, practical goals with their clients (“action steps”) and issue modest $5–$15 rewards that help them follow through. Providers then help Members use funds to address urgent needs in real time, such as transportation, food, and personal hygiene supplies.
Since launching in Louisville in 2022, Samaritan has partnered with Goodwill Kentucky, The Hope Buss, Volunteers of America Mid-States, St. Vincent de Paul, Arthur Street Hotel, and additional organizations serving people navigating homelessness. To date, 331 Kentuckians have used Samaritan to stay connected to care, gather vital documents, access treatment, prepare for employment, and take steps toward housing. Independent evaluations of Samaritan’s model in other states have shown a 21% reduction in emergency-department use and stronger connection to primary care…