NJ Spotlight published the following article on April 21, 2014. To read the following article, click here.
BACKLOG OF NJ FAMILYCARE APPLICATIONS BOGS DOWN COUNTY OFFICE STAFFS
ANDREW KITCHENMAN | APRIL 21, 2014Healthcare advocates now advise low-income state residents to apply for Medicaid coverage through the federal ACA website
Thousands of New Jersey FamilyCare applications have piled up in county welfare offices across the state, as small staffs have been overwhelmed by the waves of people seeking health coverage as key provisions of the Affordable Care Act have been implemented.
For example, the Camden County Board of Social Services still hasn’t processed 5,800 applications out of more than 10,000 it received between October and March.
While statewide figures are not available, interviews with healthcare advocates indicate that it’s a widespread problem.
FamilyCare is the state Medicaid program, serving low-income residents.