Maximus wins Canadian health care outsourcing deal

Maximus Inc. has won a $268 million contract from the British Columbia Ministry of Health Services to provide health benefit operations administrative services, the company announced today. The 10-year contract includes one five-year option.

Maximus Canada Inc. will help register all British Columbia residents for their medical and pharmacy benefits, maintain information on them, confirm premium assistance eligibility, register health care providers and process payments for medical and pharmacy claims.

The company will manage a provincewide customer service call center. Maximus plans to offer ministry employees involved in administering health benefit operations the option of continued employment with Maximus.

Maximus has established two British Columbia sole service corporations to deliver services: Maximus BC Health Inc. and Maximus BC Health Benefit Operations Inc. The project is scheduled to begin in the second half of fiscal 2005, the company said.

Maximus Canada Inc. is a subsidiary of Maximus of Reston, Va. The company, a provider of program management, consulting and information technology services to state and local government, has more than 5,500 employees and annual sales of $558.3 million.