SANTA CRUZ COUNTY HAS A BACK LOG OF CLOSE TO 7-THOUSAND MEDI-CAL APPLICANTS. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT MADE ABOUT 2 MILLION CALIFORNIANS ELIGIBLE FOR MEDI-CAL. UNLIKE THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WHICH HAS A MANDATORY APPLICATION CUT-OFF DATE, MEDI-CAL DOES NOT. SANTA CRUZ COUNTY HUMAN SERVICES WORKERS ARE STRUGGLING TO PROCESS APPLICATIONS IN THE 45 DAY PERIOD REQUIRED BY LAW. WORKERS SAY THE MAIN ISSUES WITH CLEARING THE BACK LOG, ARE THE CONTINUING INFLUX OF APPLICATIONS, INADEQUATE COMPUTER PROCESSING, AND THE MOST DIFFICULT, VERIFICATION OF RESIDENCY. COUNTY OFFICIALS SAY THE BEST WAY TO ASSURE PROCESSING IS TO GO IN PERSON TO HEALTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT AT THE EMELINE COMPLEX.
