Passport Health Plan to open eastern Ky. office

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Passport Health Plan says it will open a new office in eastern Kentucky by early next year that will employ about 40 people.

The nonprofit company manages Medicaid plans for more than 200,000 Kentuckians. Company officials announced Monday they plan to open a 4,100-square-foot office in Prestonsburg as part of Prestonsburg Village.

The Louisville-based Passport Health Plan has been contracting with the state to provide Medicaid benefits since 1997. The company began administering Medicaid plans statewide in January.

Company officials announced the new office on Monday during the executive board meeting for the Shaping Our Appalachian Region initiative. The initiative, started by Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear and Republican U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers, seeks to help the region’s economy move beyond its dependence on the coal industry.

©2014 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.