When factors beyond healthcare prevent wellness, a Blue KC program makes all the difference
A cancer diagnosis is hard. What makes it harder? Going through it without help. No one to fill the fridge with comfort food. No way to get to treatments. No one to assist when social circumstances derail health and well-being. This is what Kathy, a Blue KC member, faced and how a Blue KC Community Health Worker helped.
Blue KC Community Health Workers (CHWs) assist our most vulnerable members navigate healthcare and secure community resources to stabilize housing, finance, food insecurity, transportation, and other factors that prevent people from achieving wellness.
Kathy’s story
Sapped of energy due to chemo treatments while at the same time caring for her mother, partner, and grandchildren, Kathy already was struggling. When she learned she was at risk of eviction due to unpaid rent, she panicked. That’s when Kathy contacted Miranda Coffey, a Blue KC CHW who had recently reached out to her.
Miranda’s assistance started with a call to the landlord to request an extension on her rent payment, then she secured $2,400 rental assistance from a community resource. Miranda also arranged home delivered meals on days Kathy didn’t feel well and provided a list of neighborhood food pantries that could supplement Kathy’s food supplies.
Healing is hard without healthy food on the table
Kathy’s story is not isolated. One of the many ways our CHWs help Blue KC members in need is with food assistance. In 2025 our CHWs arranged to have community organizations deliver 1,500 meals to Blue KC members with physical disabilities or who were sick or recovering and had no reliable means for healthy food. They also connected 200 members to food pantries.
“Our first line of defense when we identify a member starring at the face of food insecurity or financial need is Kansas City’s network of food pantries,” said Coffey. “We refer members to food pantries in their neighborhood using Harvesters Food Locator tool that finds pantries based on ZIP code.”
An advocate in a member’s corner
CHWs serve as advocates for members when health conditions collide with inadequate housing, education, income, or other factors. Specifically trained – often in social work – CHWs identify members who most need their services and help them:
- Find healthcare providers or otherwise navigate the healthcare system
- Connect to community resources for basic needs like food, clothing, rent, and utilities
- Connect with the Blue KC care team of registered nurses, social workers, and other healthcare professionals
- Gain health education
The Blue KC CHW program is novel among commercial health insurers1 and is expanding as need continues to grow. Watch to learn more about our program.
1Blue KC Community Health Workers support members in employer-sponsored plans, as well as ACA, FEB, labor union members.
