The state Department of Social Services has agreed to postpone the rollout of a new electronic system for home health agencies after an outcry among providers and threats to drop clients on Medicaid.
Roderick L. Bremby
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State rejects challenge to the hospital tax
Two state agency heads have ruled against Connecticut hospitals’ claims that the state tax on hospitals is illegal, clearing the way for the industry to take the state to court.
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Sweeping plan put forward to control rising health care costs
After spending six months studying new ways to control ever-growing health care costs, a state-hired consulting firm presented a plan to Connecticut’s Health Care Cabinet Tuesday that calls for the largest reorganization and consolidation of health-related state agencies in two decades.
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Social Services Commissioner Bremby doesn’t get Kansas job
Social Services Commissioner Roderick L. Bremby won’t be leaving Connecticut for a post in Kansas. Although Bremby was a finalist to become city manager of Lawrence, Kan., the city commission selected another candidate Thursday.
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DSS Commissioner Bremby a finalist for Kansas post
State Social Services Commissioner Roderick L. Bremby is one of three finalists to become city manager of Lawrence, Kansas, where he once served as assistant city manager.
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DSS said to have continued thousands on Medicaid without ensuring they were still eligible
The state Department of Social Services continued providing Medicaid coverage to thousands of people for more than a year without checking whether they remained eligible, as is federally required, according to a contractor who recently left the department.
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Food stamp backlog could cost Connecticut federal money
Connecticut could lose up to $3.7 million in expected federal funding because of continued problems in handling food stamp cases.
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Need to reach a DSS worker? Can you hold for 78 minutes?
More than a year after the state Department of Social Services changed its phone system, people who rely on it say it remains unacceptably difficult to reach a worker. Last month, callers looking to speak to a person waited on hold an average of 78 minutes. And 71 percent hung up first.
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CT Social Services chief withdraws from Fort Worth job search
Social Services Commissioner Roderick L. Bremby has withdrawn his name from consideration to become city manager of Fort Worth, Texas, according to local media reports.
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DSS Commissioner Bremby a finalist for Texas job
Social Services Commissioner Roderick L. Bremby confirmed Monday that he is one of three finalists for the city manager job in Fort Worth, Texas.
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DSS call center wait times drop, but two-thirds of callers still hanging up
Callers who wanted to talk to a Department of Social Services worker by phone last month had to wait an average of 39 minutes and 29 seconds to do so. That’s down from one hour and 13 minutes in February. Social service officials say that’s progress, but client advocates say another figure gives more cause for concern.
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Proposed settlement reached in DSS Medicaid application delay lawsuit
The Department of Social Services is seeking approval to hire dozens of additional workers to comply with a proposed settlement to a class action lawsuit alleging that delays in processing Medicaid applications have left poor state residents waiting months to get coverage and care.
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DSS system woes burden CT’s senior centers, aging agencies
People who work in senior centers, town social service offices and senior housing complexes say the state Department of Social Services’ new system has led to elderly residents losing benefits, low-income clients having to pay out-of-pocket for medication, and more of their own time devoted to trying to fix problems caused by the new system.
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Easier enrollment process could mean thousands more with coverage under Obamacare, researchers say
Having a seamless, one-stop shopping process for state residents to enroll in health care coverage could ensure that an additional 26,000 people get insurance, and 36,000 avoid losing their coverage, according to research released this week.