Variety verified the claims among other Medicaid providers who confirmed the multi-level chaotic situation that is underpinned by a huge question mark: who is responsible for Medicaid paperwork processing and approving of payments?
As of Oct. 1 it was the general consensus in the government that Medicaid would migrate to CHC and requires its approval before the Department of Finance would issue check disbursements. Finance has operated on the principal from that date.
However Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. chief executive officer Juan N. Babauta stated that Medicaid would be better served by remaining under the Office of the Governor.
Babauta reinforced the position in a letter on the subject addressed to Gov. Benigno Fitial dated Nov. 21, but has received no response.
In the meantime, providers are stuck in limbo with dwindling cash flows because of six-months of no payments and the Medicaid office drifts in a catch-22 not knowing what to do with the transmittal paperwork.
“My staff visits the Capital Hill Medicaid office a few times a week and the process has fallen apart — quickly.”
Another reason the provider frustration level is at a peak — in addition to not getting paid and the larger bureaucratic tug-of-war — is staff turnover in the Medicaid office itself.
In a matter of a few months one experienced staffer retired and then her replacement went on maternity leave that created a vacuum of accountability and continuity for providers.
For the business owners/Medicaid-approved medical services providers the situation appears bleaker by the day as bank accounts dwindle.
“CHC has enough problems, so they don’t want Medicaid — I get it,” offered one provider, “but what’s wrong with the governor — can’t he make a simple decision so we can get paid?”
