Louisiana expands ACS health care contract

Affiliated Computer Services Inc. has won a $9.6 million amendment to a contract with the Louisiana Bureau of Health Services Financing for additional services and support, the company announced this week.

Under the amended contract, ACS of Dallas will expand implementation of the state's new waiver program for personal care services. The program provides home and community-based services to poor, elderly and disabled residents.

Through a centralized call center, ACS will help applicants with the eligibility process, which includes in-home assessments to make sure people get the right services.

The program needed to expand because of the high volume of applicants since the program started last January, the company said. The call center ensures that people with disabilities, the elderly and their families can make informed choices on their long-term care.

The support is available to people entering the system for the first time as well as those already in waiver programs, nursing facilities or other institutions.

ACS offers IT and business process outsourcing services. It has more than 43,000 employees and annual sales of $4.1 billion