By Dave Ranney
KHI News Service
TOPEKA, Dec. 4
A search is underway for a new director for the state employee health benefits plan.
“We have a number of applications,” said Kansas Health Policy Authority Deputy Director Andy Allison. “We hope to fill the position as soon as we find the right person.”
L.J. Fredrickson, 57, left the position at the end of September.
Allison declined comment on Fredrickson”s exit, citing confidentiality requirements. Attempts to reach Fredrickson for comment Tuesday were unsuccessful.
Fredrickson had been director of state employee health benefits since October 2006.
The position is posted on the health policy authority”s Web site. Applicants are expected to have an advanced degree in health care, public policy or business, and at least five years experience in health plan design, administration or business.
Salary is negotiable.
“We understand we”ll have private-sector competition and we”ll need to be competitive,” Allison said. “It will be a senior-level position that in the private sector would pay upwards of $90,000.”
The Kansas State Employee Health Plan offers medical, dental, vision, long-term care, and prescription-drug benefits, affecting 88,000 government workers, their dependents, and retirees.
The director also is charged with overseeing the state employees” wellness program.
A major overhaul of the wellness program will be announced next month, Allison said. It”s expected to include incentives designed to encourage state employees to exercise, quit smoking and lose weight.
According to health policy authority data, one-third of the adults and children covered by state employee health insurance are overweight or obese. Nearly one in four smokes.
“We”re really looking forward to the wellness program being up and running,” Allison said.
-Dave Ranney is a staff writer for KHI News Service, which specializes in coverage of health issues facing Kansans. He can be reached at
dranney@khi.org
or at 785-233-5443, ext. 128.