Federal agency sends letter of concern over equitable access to Medicaid in Montana [View all]
Montana may be out of compliance with federal Medicaid rules because too many people have lost coverage and call center wait times are too long, according to a letter from the federal government to the Department of Public Health and Human Services.
Montanans waited an average 42 minutes, second only to Missouri for the longest average call-center wait time, according to letters sent to all 50 states last week from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service.
Additionally, the letter said Montana reported 36% of renewals due in May “resulted in a procedural termination.”
“This high percent raises concerns that eligible individuals, including children, may be losing coverage,” the letter read. “Federal regulations at 42 CFR § 435.930(b) require the agency to continue to provide Medicaid to eligible individuals until they are found to be ineligible.”
In an email, DPHHS spokesperson Jon Ebelt said the state is working towards addressing staffing shortages but that Montanans have access online.
https://dailymontanan.com/2023/08/14/federal-agency-sends-letter-of-concern-over-equitable-access-to-medicaid-in-montana/
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