Medicaid Eligibility System – Colorado

Report: CO Medicaid system plagued by delays, By Ivan Moreno (AP), August 23, 2011, Denver Post: “Colorado’s Medicaid program has had significant delays in determining applicants’ eligibility, according to a federal review released Tuesday that raised the question of withholding money from the state if problems are not solved. The review from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services also found that Colorado’s system does not provide sufficient time for applicants to show proof of citizenship and is not programmed to deny or terminate benefits to those who don’t qualify. The report presented to lawmakers in the state audit committee said Colorado is not complying with federal regulations that call for eligibility to be determined within 90 days for people with disabilities-or within 45 days for all other applicants. The report said about half of all applications are not processed within the federal timelines. State officials responded that they’ve made system improvements and now 80 percent of all applications are processed in time…”