Among all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Kansas had the lowest error rate for Medicaid payments during federal fiscal year 1995, according to information provided by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

The Health Care Financing Administration, a division of HHS, announced this month that Kansas had an error rate of 0.1012 percent during the last time period calculated, covering October, 1994 to September 1995. This means that for every $100 in Medicaid payments authorized by SRS Economic Assistance Specialists, only about 10 cents was paid incorrectly.

During that time period covered by the survey, Medicaid costs in Kansas were about $800 million. States whose error rates were above 3 percent are subject to fiscal sanctions by the federal government.

Medicaid is a joint federal/state program providing health care

coverage for the poor and people with disabilities. About 60 percent of Medicaid funding comes from the federal government and about 40 percent from state government.

SRS Secretary Rochelle Chronister congratulated SRS Economic Assistance Specialists and their supervisors for their outstanding work. She said the information from HHS confirms the fact that SRS's economic assistance specialists are a dedicated and hard working group.

This federal review shows we have top-notch staff working professionally and accurately," Chronister said. "I appreciate their efforts on behalf of Medicaid recipients and the taxpayers of Kansas."

Across the state, there are 470 Economic Assistance Specialists working in SRS offices located in each of the state's 105 counties. They are often the first people seen by Kansans seeking assistance when they come to SRS offices. The specialists first gather information from people seeking assistance, then put the information into a computer system which helps determine eligibility.

Economic Assistance Specialists are responsible for determining eligibility for 24 different programs, each with its own eligibility criteria. They work within the SRS Income Support and Employment Preparation Services Commission (IM/EPS).

Connie Hubbell, IM/EPS commissioner, said the results of the federal review are a tribute to hard work and strong efforts to reduce fraud by Economic Assistance Specialists statewide.

To lead the nation in our efforts at accuracy shows exemplary dedication," she said.

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001