108A-70.50. Temporary assumption of Medicaid eligibility administration.

(a) If a county department of social services fails to successfully complete its joint corrective action plan, the Department shall give the county department of social services, the county manager, and the board of social services or the consolidated human services board, created pursuant to G.S. 153A-77(b), at least 90 days' notice that the Department intends to temporarily assume Medicaid eligibility administration, in accordance with subsection (b) of this section. The notice shall include the following information:

(1) The date on which the Department intends to temporarily assume administration of Medicaid eligibility determinations.

(2) The performance requirements in the joint corrective action plan that the county department of social services failed to meet.

(3) Notice of the county department of social services' right to appeal the decision to the Office of Administrative Hearings, pursuant to Article 3 of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, if a county department of social services fails to successfully complete its joint corrective action plan, the Department shall temporarily assume Medicaid eligibility administration for the county upon giving notice as required by subsection (a) of this section. During a period of temporary assumption of Medicaid eligibility administration, the following shall occur:

(1) The Department shall administer the Medicaid eligibility function in the county. Administration by the Department may include direct operation by the Department, including supervision of county Medicaid eligibility workers or contracts for operation to the extent permitted by federal law and regulations.

(2) The county department of social services is divested of the authority to administer Medicaid eligibility determinations.

(3) The Department shall direct and oversee the expenditure of all funding for the administration of Medicaid eligibility in the county.

(4) The county shall continue to pay the nonfederal share of the cost of Medicaid eligibility administration and shall not withdraw funds previously obligated or appropriated for Medicaid eligibility administration.

(5) The county shall pay the nonfederal share of additional costs incurred to ensure compliance with the accuracy and quality assurance standards required by this Part.

(6) The Department shall work with the county department of social services to develop a plan for the county department of social services to resume Medicaid eligibility administration and perform Medicaid eligibility determinations more accurately.

(7) The Department shall inform the county board of commissioners, the county manager, the county director of social services, and the board of social services or the consolidated human services board, created pursuant to G.S. 153A-77(b), of key activities and any ongoing concerns during the temporary assumption of Medicaid eligibility administration.

(c) Upon the Department's determination that Medicaid eligibility determinations can be performed accurately and with proper quality assurance by the county department of social services based on the standards adopted under G.S. 108A-70.47 and G.S. 108A-70.48, the Department shall notify the county department of social services, the county manager, and the board of social services or the consolidated human services board, created pursuant to G.S. 153A-77(b), that temporary assumption of Medicaid eligibility administration will be terminated and the effective date of termination. Upon termination, the county department of social services resumes its full authority to administer Medicaid eligibility determinations.