ANN ARBOR, Mich., Aug. 4 /EMWNews/ -- 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.

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http://www.thomsonreuters.com .