Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Deputy Executive Commissioner Wayne Salter testified to the earlier this month that the state’s shortage of professionals responsible for processing Medicaid and other public benefits has caused delays.
He said the state had 400 staff vacancies that have led to failures to process half of the submitted Medicaid applications and renewals within the federal guidelines for timeliness (within 45 days of receiving them). There is currently a backlog of 70,000 applications, he said. HHSC has processed 80% of 105,000 disposed Medicaid redeterminations.
Salter testified that while progress was being made to hire more workers, additional funding was needed to address critical workforce challenges at HHSC and related agencies.
Source: Texas experiencing delays processing Medicaid renewals due to staffing shortages / State of Reform