Backlogs in processing Medicaid benefits have left thousands of beneficiaries without care, according to the Kansas Health Institute News Service.
The problems are two-fold: a change in the computer software system and in the agency responsible for handling some eligibility requirements, KHI said.
The new computer system requires state employees to use dozens of time-consuming workarounds, while funneling all applications through the new agency, Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
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The result is a backlog of Medicaid applications waiting to be processed that has been as high as 10,000, according to KHI.
Some nursing homes have provided more than $1 million in uncompensated care as they wait months for residents' Medicaid coverage to be processed, according to a news report from KCUR.
Meanwhile, some senior citizen agencies say their clients have been improperly dropped from Medicaid, which in Kansas is a privatized program called KanCare.
Gov. Sam Brownback's administration has made some accommodations to help nursing facilities, such as having providers complete an online spreadsheet that is sent directly to the state contractor, which helps them avoid a call to the KanCare Clearinghouse, which has long hold times, KHI said.
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The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has brought in 20 additional employees and has temporarily stopped terminating Medicaid benefits for failure to renew due to the backlog.
Meanwhile, an alliance is forming to push for Medicaid expansion in Kansas, according to KHI. Among its strongest backers is the Kansas Hospital Association.
The Alliance for a Healthy Kansas is focused on passing an expansion bill in 2017, though Brownback, a Republican and GOP legislative leaders reportedly remain opposed to expanding KanCare.
Kansas is among 19 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse