TOPEKA — State officials have scheduled an eight-city tour next week to describe pending changes to the Kansas Medicaid program.

The Medicaid makeover, called KanCare, is en effort by the administration of Gov. Sam Brownback to curb Medicaid costs while improving patient care. A general outline of the plan was first released in November 2011. The changes are scheduled to begin Jan. 1, pending the necessary federal approvals.

The state’s application for a so-called Section 1115 Medicaid waiver, seeking the authority Kansas officials need to enact KanCare, initially was submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in April but subsequently was withdrawn. It has not yet been resubmitted, according to state officials contacted Monday.

Kansas has about 350,000 Medicaid beneficiaries, or about one in 10 Kansans. Annual cost of the program is about $2.9 billion.

Here are the schedules and locations for next week’s planned informational meetings. The events are open to the public but are aimed primarily at Medicaid service providers and people enrolled in Medicaid. The afternoon events are geared for providers. The evening events are directed at beneficiaries.

Monday in Garden City:

From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Garden City Community College Gymnasium, Dennis Perrymen Athletic Complex, 801 Campus Dr.

And from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the same location.

Monday in Topeka:

From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Washburn University Memorial Union, Washburn Room A, 1700 College Ave.

And from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the same location.

Tuesday in Wichita:

From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Wichita State University Metroplex, Room 180, 5015 E. 29th St. North.

And from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the same location.

Tuesday in Leavenworth:

From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Riverfront Community Center, Riverview Room, 123 S. Esplanade St.

And from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the same location.

Wednesday in Salina:

From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kansas Highway Patrol Training Academy, Large Auditorium, 2025 E. Iron Ave.

And from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the same location.

Wednesday in Fort Scott:

From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Fort Scott Community College, Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center, 2108 S. Horton.

And from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the same location.

Thursday in Hays:

From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Fort Hays State University, Fort Hays Ballroom, Memorial Union, 600 Park St.

And from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the same location.

Thursday in Overland Park:

From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, Pinnacle and Summit Rooms, 11902 Lowell.

And from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the same location.