TOPEKA — The Kansas Health Policy Authority today released its request-for-proposal for a new computer system intended to speed the processing of Medicaid and HealthWave applications.

Agency officials said they want a "state-of-the-art," system to replace one that is sorely outdated. And they want it fully operational by October 2013.

“Like many states around the country, we’ve been using an antiquated system that dates back to the 1980s,” said Andy Allison, the agency's executive director. “These legacy systems, as they’re called, are notoriously slow and cumbersome by today’s standards and it takes a lot of money and manpower to keep them maintained and updated. This new system will bring Kansas healthcare programs into the 21st century and make it much easier to process applications and get people enrolled.”

Allison said the new system would "go a long way" toward preventing the kind of application backlog that currently exists at the agency's clearinghouse.

The new system will allow people to apply for benefits online instead of filling out paperwork that is mailed, sorted and processed.

“This new system will really help us change the way we do business with the public, said Medicaid Eligibility Director Darin Bodenhamer. "This new automated process will enable us to reduce our reliance on state personnel and resources by building community partnerships with health clinics and other providers throughout the state. It will enable us to provide faster, better and more accurate service for the people of Kansas and, in the end, improve access to health coverage programs for Kansas children and families who really need it."

The system will be paid for thanks to a $40 million federal grant awarded in September 2009.

The same grant will also pay for eligibility workers stationed at various safety net clinics and public health agencies across the state.

Additional information about the project is available on the health policy authority website.