WOBURN, MA - After conducting a national search of information systems and managed behavioral health organizations, Kansas Health Solutions (KHS) awarded a multi-year contract to Beacon Health Strategies, LLC (Beacon). Outscoring the competition in nearly all evaluation categories, Beacon successfully differentiated itself as the obvious choice to provide KHS with a tailor-made information technology solution.

Under the KHS-Beacon agreement, Beacon will provide and support all aspects of KHS’ managed behavioral health care information technology system, deploying Beacon’s proprietary FlexCare© behavioral health management system; development and customization are well underway, and scheduled to go live on January 1, 2010. As KHS continues its rapid growth in Kansas and beyond, Beacon will also provide strategic, clinical and operational guidance and consultation.

Announcing the relationship with Beacon, Kansas Health Solutions CEO, Michael Goldberg stated, “KHS is very excited about the power and flexibility of FlexCare as our new core operating software. Once implemented, KHS will have much broader, more competitive and effective care management and information processing capabilities. The health plan, our providers and our members will benefit not only from the software system but from an open and rich partnership with Beacon.”

“This is a very exciting time for Beacon,” said Timothy Murphy, President and CEO. “Over the past twelve months, we have experienced a 22% growth in members served, through new client relationships and organic growth within our existing client base. With the KHS award, Beacon has expanded its geographic reach into the Midwest and we look forward to this new collaboration. We are confident that our contribution to KHS’ success will be significant in the coming years.”

Founded in 1996, Beacon Health Strategies is a recognized leader in behavioral health care management. Beacon currently serves approximately 1.7 million health plan members, with their full complement of clinical and administrative services, and is growing rapidly. Accredited by both URAC and NCQA, Beacon’s success derives from its unrivaled clinical and administrative expertise, innovative programming, and delivery of customized solutions meeting the unique and complex needs of each partner.

Kansas Health Solutions is a not-for-profit, limited liability corporation that was formed on January 19, 2007, in response to the opportunity to manage Medicaid mental health benefits for the State of Kansas. Under its contract with the state, Kansas Health Solutions oversees a network of more than 2600 ambulatory, mental health providers serving Kansas Medical Assistance and MediKan enrollees in all 105 counties. KHS is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas, whose 27 constituent, safety net mental health clinics in Kansas provide geographic access across the entire state, for people in need.