The job of inspector general for the state's managed care Medicaid program has been open for nearly a year.
The post has been empty since Phil Hermanson resigned in June 2014, just months after he was hired to lead KanCare, an umbrella program for three private managed health care companies.
The lack of a leader for the $3 billion program has drawn attention from lawmakers.
In early 2013, United Healthcare, Sunflower Health Plan and Amerigroup were given three-year contracts, with options for extensions, to cover the state's Medicaid enrollees. The inspector general is supposed to oversee those companies to watch for potential abuse or mismanagement.
Hermanson was appointed in April 2014 by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, which did not announce the appointment.
He began work as an interim director before he was confirmed by the Kansas Senate, but resigned that June after questions were raised about his lack of qualifications, a previous bankruptcy, and a 2009 no-contest plea for driving under the influence.
The agency is again recruiting for the position after several delays.
Health department deputy secretary Aaron Dunkel told the KanCare Oversight Committee says candidates have been interviewed and two turned the position down.
