LITTLE ROCK, Ark., June 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- EDS , the nation’s leader in healthcare services, has been awarded a $93.7 million contract by the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) to continue managing the state’s Medicaid program, which pays for medical services for children and adults with limited income and resources. The contract, with options, covers seven years and extends a 19-year relationship.
EDS has managed the state’s Medicaid program since 1985 and currently processes more than $2.4 billion a year in payments to more than 14,000 doctors, hospitals, therapists, nurse practitioners, pharmacists and other health care providers in the state. In 2003, EDS processed more than 24 million Medicaid claims on behalf of more than 600,000 recipients.
“Arkansas has been recognized for having one of the best Medicaid programs in the nation,” said Roy Jeffus, director of DHS Division of Medical Services. “Our two-decade relationship with EDS has been a big factor in moving our program forward and making it successful. We’re glad this teamwork is going to continue.”
“For almost two decades, EDS and DHS employees have worked together to improve the effectiveness of the Arkansas Medicaid program for all participants -- health care providers, recipients and taxpayers,” said Al Edmonds, vice president of global sales and client solutions for EDS U.S. Government Solutions. “We appreciate Arkansas’ continued confidence in EDS.”
About 170 EDS Arkansas employees, located primarily in the Little Rock area, operate and maintain the statewide system and network designed to speed information to health care providers and provide reliable processing of claims. The employees provide a range of services, including help desks, training seminars, on-site visits and sophisticated Web functions.
Over the years, EDS has supported DHS-initiated program enhancements aimed at streamlining the health care process. They include:
* Automated Eligibility Verification and Claim Submission System, an award-winning system through which claims can be submitted, processed, and paid electronically. * ConnectCare, Arkansas’ managed-care system, which saved the state $30 million in its first 17 months of operation while improving coordination of and access to health care. * ARKids 1st, which extended health insurance coverage to 70,000 Arkansas children whose families were not eligible for Medicaid benefits but did not have other medical coverage. About EDS
EDS provides a broad portfolio of business and technology solutions to help its clients worldwide improve their business performance. EDS’ core portfolio comprises information-technology, applications and business process services, as well as information-technology transformation services. EDS’ A.T. Kearney subsidiary is one of the world’s leading high-value management consultancies. With more than $20 billion in annual revenue, EDS is ranked 87th on the Fortune 500. The company’s stock is traded on the New York and London stock exchanges. Learn more at http://www.eds.com/ .
The statements in this news release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding the amount of new contract values, are forward- looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond EDS’ control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. For information concerning these risks and uncertainties, see EDS’ most recent Form 10-K. EDS disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
CONTACT: Bill Ritz 703-742-1307 bill.ritz@eds.com
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20011004/EDSLOGO-bAP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.comElectronic Data Systems Corporation
CONTACT: Bill Ritz of Electronic Data Systems Corporation,+1-703-742-1307, or bill.ritz@eds.com
Web site: http://www.eds.com/