KENTUCKY — Kentuckians will soon have a new option to find healthcare.

Gov. Andy Beshear announced the Commonwealth has reconnected kynect, the state's health insurance marketplace. Kynect was deactivated by former Gov. Matt Bevin in 2017, saying it was too costly and redundant.

Kynect is designed to be a one-stop shop for people seeking a variety of insurance plans, including medicaid and KCHIP, while helping people seek public benefits like SNAP food assistance.

The new kynect, Beshear said, offers expanded benefits, enhanced usability, and a new mobile-friendly format. It also helps prepare Kentucky for the return of the state-based exchange, scheduled for enrollment in 2021 to begin the exchange in January 2022, said Beshear.

“Even as the state continues to battle the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), we have remained committed to moving the state forward on major initiatives including expanding access to health care,” Beshear said. “Every member of Team Kentucky should have health care – it is a basic human right. Now that kynect is back, it is easier for Kentuckians to access the benefits they need so they can afford to see a doctor and get the care they deserve.”   

Beshear said the portal looks similar to the original kynect, originally launched in 2013 by his father, former Gov. Steve Beshear.

Other resources available through kynect include job training, foster care, elder care and addiction, support for veterans with disabilities, immigrants and refugees, homeless Kentuckians and more.

“We expect more Kentuckians to get the aid they need to improve health outcomes,” Lt. Gov. Coleman said. “A healthier Kentucky leads to stronger families, better education, a better economy and a better quality of life for everyone. A better Kentucky is what we are all working toward, and kynect is helping us get there.”

Cabinet for Health and Family Services Deputy Secretary Carrie Banahan said the new portal supports the move back to the state-based exchange.

“In developing the new kynect, we have taken care to gather information from people who frequently access these benefits and information,” Banahan said. “We’re talking to community partners, technology experts, assisters and others who provided input to help reimagine this version of kynect, which will better serve Kentuckians for years to come.”

Now, Kentuckians can track the progress of an application and see what the next steps are after an application is completed. If needed, people can snap a photo of documents with a smartphone and upload them for an application.

Beshear also announced a statewide marketing campaign to increase awareness of kynect.

Earlier in the year, Beshear said it will cost Kentucky about $5 million to reactivate kynect. It will then likely cost $1-2 million annually; however, Beshear says Kentuckians will ultimately save money by not paying a surcharge on the federal exchange.