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Article Dean Dorton

As of January 12, 2018, Kentucky became the first state to require many of its Medicaid recipients to work in order to receive coverage. This new provision is effective beginning in July 2018.

The new rule states that one must complete 80 hours per month of “community engagement” and applies to able-bodied individuals between the ages of 19 and 64 (not applicable if you are pregnant, medically frail, a full-time student, or a primary caregiver of dependents).

Community engagement includes the individual:

Obtaining a job,Attending school,Participating in a job training course, and/orPerforming community service.

If one does not submit proper proof of participation after one month, the individual will receive a notice. That person is then given one more month to reverse their violation. After the second month, benefits will terminate until they can prove they have begun following the guidelines.

Kentuckians will be required to pay a small monthly premium ($1 to $15 per month, dependent on income) for Medicaid insurance. Incentives will be offered to purchase additional benefits (such as dental and vision) through a rewards program. Activities to obtain rewards include getting an annual physical, completing a diabetes or weight management class, partaking in an anti-smoking program, et cetera. Those who are above the federal poverty line, who fail to pay the required premiums or do not reapply in time to determine if they remain eligible, can be locked out of the program for six months. Individuals can also be penalized for not promptly reporting a change in their income.

According to Governor Matt Bevin, this new plan should save taxpayers more than $300 million over the next five years. It is estimated that nearly 95,000 people will lose their Medicaid coverage by not fulfilling the requirements or by finding jobs which push them out of the low-income tax bracket.

Article Dean Dorton

Bill Kohm, Director of Assurance Services, was appointed to serve on the Reclamation Guaranty Fund Commission for the Commonwealth of Kentucky by Governor Matt Bevin.

Bill will represent certified public accountants, serving a term expiring July 1, 2020. He is replacing Sharon P. Warriner of Barbourville, whose term has expired.

Bill has more than 20 years of experience in public accounting, specializing in audit and accounting services in the natural resources industry. He leads Dean Dorton’s Energy & Natural Resources Team which consists of approximately 15 professionals. A substantial portion of Bill’s professional career has focused on coal mining clients with a focus on internal and external audits. Due to his extensive experience, he has been utilized as an expert witness on several coal matters. He has also conducted internal and external coal accounting/auditing trainings over the years.

Bill has spoken at local, regional and national events focused on accounting and auditing matters. The presentations have focused on the coal industry and general accounting updates.

Some of his present and past professional activities include:

  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants, Natural Resources Planning Committee Chair
  • Kentucky Coal Association, Firm Representative
  • Kentucky Oil and Gas Association
  • The Institute of Internal Auditors, Member
  • National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives

Dean Dorton has had the privilege of working with a wide variety of coal companies for many years. We understand the coal industry’s unique issues and have developed accounting and audit plans, tax services, and consulting processes to address them. We know what specific skills are needed to serve coal clients. Many of our coal clients are of significant size and complexity.

View Bill Kohm’s Bio