ANN ARBOR, Mich., Aug. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The Kansas Health Policy Authority (KHPA) has selected Thomson Reuters to develop a data system that will enable the agency to analyze the cost and effectiveness of health care in Kansas.
The system -- comprised of a data repository and a data analytic interface (DAI) -- will consolidate and manage health care data for several state programs. Andy Allison, KHPA's deputy director and Medicaid director, describes the project as, "a major building block in fulfilling KHPA's mission to advance data-driven health policy."
The data repository will contain information from the Medicaid Management Information System, the State Employee Health Benefit Program and the Kansas Health Insurance Information System. The DAI will enable KHPA to compare health care service and use patterns and identify areas for focus and improvements.
Thomson Reuters will deploy its Medstat Advantage Suite(R) solution, which combines a customized repository of health care data with a comprehensive set of analytic tools. The system generates intelligence and benchmarks that health plans, large employers and state and federal government agencies use to analyze and manage the cost and quality of health care delivered to their beneficiaries.
KHPA awarded the company a three-year contract through a competitive bidding process. The agency has the option to renew the contract for two additional years.
The Kansas Legislature created KHPA in 2005 to administer the state's health care database and coordinate the analysis of health data for programs the agency manages, as well as the state's private health insurance database. The legislature provided funding for the DAI project in 2007.
"Technology that makes it easier to share the state's data with key stakeholders is critical for system improvement," said Hareesh Mavoori, KHPA's director of data policy. "It's important as a health policy agency and our duty to health care consumers that we plan for continued growth in the use of health data."
Thomson Reuters has extensive experience providing health care decision support solutions -- including data management and analysis -- to state and federal agencies. The company currently supports more than 15 state Medicaid agencies and other government programs.
"We are excited about providing our best-in-class data integration and analytic capabilities to enhance KHPA's ability to set an effective policy agenda and manage the cost and quality of health care in Kansas," said Jon Newpol, executive vice president for the health care business of Thomson Reuters. "We are confident our abilities will help the state meet its objectives."
The federal Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services has approved the maximum allowable federal match for this project. There will be a 90 percent federal share for the development of the Medicaid portion -- which accounts for 70 percent of the total program cost -- and 75 percent federal funding for licensing and ongoing operational costs.
About Thomson Reuters
The health care business of Thomson Reuters produces insights, information, benchmarks and analysis that enable organizations to manage costs, improve performance and enhance the quality of health care. Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial, legal, tax and accounting, scientific, health care and media markets, powered by the world's most trusted news organization. With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs more than 50,000 people in 93 countries. Thomson Reuters shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange ; Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: TRI); London Stock Exchange ; and Nasdaq . For more information, go to http://www.thomsonreuters.com/ .
