108A-70.41. Corrective action.

(a) If for any three consecutive months or for any five months out of a period of 12 consecutive months a county department of social services fails to meet either the average processing time standard or the percentage processed timely standard or both standards, the Department and the county department of social services shall enter into a joint corrective action plan to improve the timely processing of applications.

(b) A joint corrective action plan entered into pursuant to this section shall specifically identify the following components:

(1) The duration of the joint corrective action plan, not to exceed 12 months. If a county department of social services shows measurable progress in meeting the performance requirements in the joint corrective action plan, then the duration of the joint corrective action plan may be extended by six months, but in no case shall a joint corrective action plan exceed 18 months.

(2) A plan for improving timely processing of applications that specifically describes the actions to be taken by the county department of social services and the Department.

(3) The performance requirements for the county department of social services that constitute successful completion of the joint corrective action plan.

(4) Acknowledgement that failure to successfully complete the joint corrective action plan will result in temporary assumption of Medicaid eligibility administration by the Department, in accordance with G.S. 108A-70.42.