TOPEKA — The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services has scheduled a second series of informational sessions on KanCare, Gov. Sam Brownback's plan to remake the state's Medicaid program.

Officials said the meetings would be targeted at people currently receiving Medicaid services, their family members and friends, service providers, advocacy groups and others interested in the various services that would be offered under KanCare, ranging from nursing home care for the elderly to in-home services for the physically disabled or mentally ill. There will be morning and afternoon sessions in each location with one session geared mostly to consumers and a second session geared toward Medicaid service providers.

KanCare would shift virtually all of the state's 380,000 Medicaid enrollees into managed care plans run by three for-profit insurance companies.

The new program is scheduled to start Jan. 1, pending federal approvals.

“We are holding these meetings to inform and educate our consumers about what KanCare will mean for them, what will change and what will stay the same, and how to access the services we provide,” KDADS Secretary Shawn Sullivan said in a prepared statement. “KanCare is designed to deliver person-centered, coordinated care to Kansans. We expect this to result in better health outcomes for those involved in the programs.”

Brownback officials also have said they expect the new program to reduce the growth in federal and state Medicaid spending in Kansas by $1 billion over five years.

Those planning to attend the meetings may register in advance by contacting Candy Youle with the Center for Community Support and Research at Wichita State University at (800) 445-0116 or candace.youle@wichita.edu.

Registration is not required but seating will be first-come, first-served.

The state also maintains a website where officials post updates regarding KanCare.

Dates and locations for the meetings are:

Tuesday, Aug. 21

Kansas City, Kan. - Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Minnesota Ave. Provider session: 10 a.m.-noon. Consumer session: 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 22

Wichita - Wichita State University Metroplex, 5015 E. 29th St. North. Provider session: 10 a.m.-noon. Consumer session: 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 23

Topeka - Holiday Inn Holidome, 605 SW Fairlawn Road. Provider session: 10 a.m.-noon. Consumer session: 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 24

Salina - Best Western Mid America, 1846 N. Ninth St. Provider session: 10 a.m.-noon. Consumer session: 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

Colby – City Limits Convention Center/Comfort Inn, 2225 S. Range Ave. Provider session: 10 a.m.-noon. Consumer session: 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

Tuesday, Aug. 28

Wichita - WSU Metroplex, 5015 E. 29th St. North. Provider session: 10 a.m.-noon. Consumer session: 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

Topeka – Holiday Inn Holidome, 605 SW Fairlawn Road. Provider session: 10 a.m.-noon. Consumer session: 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 29

Garden City – Clarion Inn, 1911 E. Kansas Ave. Provider session: 10 a.m.-noon. Consumer session: 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 30

Kansas City, Kan. – Hilton Garden Inn, 520 Minnesota Ave. Provider session: 10 a.m.-noon. Consumer session: 2 p.m.-4 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 31

Pittsburg - Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 4011 N. Parkview Drive. Provider session: 10 a.m.-noon. Consumer session: 2 p.m.-4 p.m.