LOCAL

Valeo CEO will talk Medicaid reimbursement, revenue plan at county commission meeting

4 percent cuts announced by Gov. Sam Brownback in May

Luke Ranker
Bill Persinger, CEO of Valeo Behavioral Health Care.

Shawnee County commissioners will hear Thursday from Valeo CEO Bill Persinger Jr.

A 4 percent reduction to Medicaid reimbursement likely will adversely affect the health services organization. That item and others are on the agenda when commissioners Kevin Cook, Shelly Buhler and Bob Archer meet at 9 a.m. Thursday in Room B-11 of the Shawnee County Courthouse, 200 S.E. 7th.

Earlier this year, Valeo developed a plan to deal with Medicaid and other revenue changes. However, that plan will need to be modified after the mid-May announcement that Kansas will cut roughly 4 percent from Medicaid aid for Valeo — a loss of about $537,000, according to documents Persinger submitted to the commission.

Gov. Sam Brownback announced in May many providers for the state’s Medicaid program would see a 4 percent reimbursement reduction in an effort to curb nearly $100 million in spending.

Persinger is expected to discuss the cuts and other problems Valeo is facing, including termination of the Medicaid Health Program valued at $750,000 annually.

Besides state aid, Valeo receives funding from Topeka, Shawnee County and grants.

In other business, the commission will:

¦ Consider filling two vacant supervision officer positions in the community corrections department at a salary of $55,809.46 each, including benefits.

¦ Consider filling a bridge supervisor position in the public works department at a salary including benefits of $62,747.44 to $81,904.05.

¦ Consider a contract with Bartlett & West for preliminary design services for the S.W. Urish Road project between S.W. 17th and S.W. Huntoon.