Kansas switches its medical provider for prisons after years of sharp criticism
Kansas has severed its relationship with a Tennessee company that provided medical services to its prisons after years of performance concerns, the state’s Department of Corrections announced Friday.
Corizon Health will be replaced effective July 1 by Centurion of Kansas, LLC. The company will be paid $86.5 million in the first year of a contract that could extend to 2026.
A 2019 analysis of performance records by The Star revealed numerous problems with Corizon. From July 2015 through December 2018, the company fell short of contract requirements about a third of the time, delaying, postponing or completely failing to provide care to inmates.
Kansas Department of Corrections Secretary Jeff Zmuda said Centurion proved through a bidding process its services were in line with the state’s needs.
“The provision of health care services for our population is an essential part of our responsibility to provide care and prepare them for reentry to the community,” Zmuda said in a statement. “Providing high quality health care that is consistent with community standards requires a partner who understands this responsibility.”
Centurion is responsible for covering the costs of hospital care, pharmacy, dental, outpatient surgery and other medical services through the contract. Its services will be provided at eight correctional facilities and at the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Complex.
The Kansas Department of Corrections will oversee and monitor Centurion’s services through a separate contract with the University of Kansas Medical Center and the Division of Family Medicine.
Centurion provides healthcare to government agencies in 16 different states, according to the company’s website. It’s based in Virginia, with regional offices in each state.
Four other companies bid on the contract. Corizon was one of the companies, according to previous reporting from The Star.
A spokesperson from Corizon declined to comment on its termination and the bidding process.
This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 12:31 PM.