4. Social Service-request for two eligibility workers/Medicaid ACA applications

RECEIVED MAR 10 2014 Affordable Care Act CASS COUNTY COMMISSION March,2014 With the Federal Affordable Care Act,expansion of Medicaid eligibility was initiated in the Fall/Winter of 2013. The North Dakota Department of Human Services planned to meet these added responsibilities by contracting with outside resources with the intentions of having little to no impact on the County Social Service Economic Assistance caseloads. Difficulties in the Federal application system and the delays in development in a new integrated computer system for the eligibility programs in North Dakota have resulted in the delay of processing of newly eligible applications. In discussion with the Director of the ND Department of Human Services,the Department's intent is to continue with the contractor to do the new applications and contact the applicants that were initially placed in file with presumptive eligibility. Cass County Social Services will be responsible to continue to prepare the cases prior to referring for final approval to the Department of Human Services as well as continue to increase the number of cases completely processed to meet the Federal March deadline of eligibility. County Impact: • The increased number of cases that were not previously eligible for Medicaid is estimated to be at 2,000-2,400 cases for Cass County. • Immediate need to process new eligible cases to assist the Department of Human Services in meeting deadlines. • The new cases after being processed will belong to the County for monitoring for changes and reviewed on at least a yearly cycle. There is not sufficient current staff resources to meet the new program requirements and caseload. PROPOSAL: Add two(2) full time B23/H Eligibility Worker I Staff, who will have primary responsibility for the newly eligible Medicaid Assistance processing and caseload. The two positions total budgetary cost will be $130,636 of which$9,280 are one-time costs. 1 Full Time Position—B23/H Eligibility Worker I Base Salary $37,985 Benefits 22,393 Equipment/Training Costs 4,940 Total $65,318 1 Full Time Position—B23/H Eligibility Worker I Base Salary $37,985 Benefits 22,393 Equipment/Training Costs 4,940 Total $65,318 Suggested Motion: Move to approve the hiring of two (2)full time B23/H Eligibility Worker I.