The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has shared insights into timeliness for processing LTSS Medicaid applications. Some members have shared feedback they’ve noticed a delay in processing new applications with the beginning of the unwinding renewal process. The state agency said overall work volumes have increased but are still lower than pre-PHE levels. “In February 2020, just prior to the start of the PHE, KDHE had 365 LTC and HCBS applications over 45 days,” LaTonya Palmer, KDHE Director of Eligibility said. “During the PHE we were able to decrease the number of LTC and HCBS aged applications to 92.”
The state agency is currently operating with a lower volume than pre-PHE with 340 aged LTC and HCBS applications and listed the following steps it is taking to ensure it does not increase:
- Paused sending out renewals in July, which would have been due in August, to allow staff to focus on applications.
- Increasing staff production time, allowing overtime and reducing non-productive time (ex: meetings).
- Adding people and other resources to address changes we have seen since unwinding began, as it is clear that intake patterns have definitely changed compared to what was seen prior to PHE.
- Submitting additional flexibility requests to CMS, to benefit members and decrease workload.
LAK has a meeting with KDHE on this topic next week Friday where we will continue to voice concerns on aged applications. LAK will also present testimony on this at the upcoming Bethel Committee hearing on August 3. Providers should contact Kylee Childs if needing assistance with aged applications.
