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Board authorizes early‑hire plan for eligibility team to address backlog from Medicaid unwinding
Summary
Kandiyohi County voted to early‑hire three full‑time eligibility workers to address a backlog of Medicaid applications and renewals tied to the pandemic 'unwinding' process and to use state/unwinding funds already in hand to cover roughly 15 months of levy costs.
KANDIYOHl COUNTY, Minn. — Kandiyohi County commissioners voted Feb. 4 to approve an early‑hire succession plan to add three full‑time eligibility workers to the county’s Health and Human Services eligibility team. County staff said the hires are intended to reduce application and renewal backlogs created during the federal Medicaid enrollment “unwinding.”
Health and Human Services Director Caroline Con and eligibility supervisors presented numbers showing a steady increase in document and application volumes since 2019. Financial assistant supervisors Carrie Sharp and Dana Wenish told the board the eligibility operation is still processing some applications received in March 2024, and that staff are managing both priority and non‑priority backlogs. Wenish said the office had 75 priority applications (oldest priority from Sept. 5, 2024) and roughly 511 non‑priority applications waiting, and described life‑affecting consequences when approvals are delayed — from transplant and cancer screening needs to insulin rationing and missed behavioral health care for children.
Con said the county has about $233,069.65 in unwinding‑related funds available and described an average levy cost estimate of about $15,405 per month per position. Con recommended early hiring three FTEs now (in addition to one previously authorized over‑hire) to create staffing overlap while current staff transition toward retirement; she said the available funds would cover approximately 15 months of levy impact for the four total positions (the previously authorized over‑hire plus the three new hires). She and supervisors emphasized the length of training (about two years to reach competency) and the need to be proactive, given expected retirements.
Commissioners pressed staff on federal funding uncertainty, the state’s ongoing procedural changes during the unwinding, and long‑term levy implications. Several commissioners said they were concerned about potential state and federal funding shifts but concluded the county must address immediate service needs.
After discussion, the board moved, seconded and approved the early‑hire plan. The motion carried by voice vote.
Why it matters: County staff said delays in processing medical assistance applications and renewals are producing urgent health consequences for residents. Staff described the decision as a cost‑effective use of unwinding funds already received by the county to prevent deeper backlogs, avoid statutory penalties and maintain state funding eligibility.
What’s next: County staff will implement the early hires, begin onboarding and training, and periodically report back to the board on backlog reduction and budgetary impacts.
