Marie Noon, residing in Brighton, Michigan, encountered significant challenges when her Medicaid application was denied due to an error in the state’s benefits system. Despite being eligible, it took several months for the error to be corrected. As a former bank manager familiar with technology, Noon felt overwhelmed by the process.
Noon requires daily medications for conditions resulting from adult-onset Still’s disease, which causes severe pain and other symptoms. The disease drastically changed her life, reducing her capability to work and leading to a prolonged period of medical complications.
In 2025, Michigan denied Noon’s Medicaid application following the loss of her private insurance. The denial stemmed from a technological glitch, according to a disability rights attorney who assisted Noon in securing her benefits.
The state inaccurately assessed Noon’s disability status and income level, leading to the unjust denial of coverage.
Deloitte, a prominent consulting firm, operates the Michigan Medicaid eligibility system and has partnered with 25 other states. The system has a record of similar mistakes, misclassifying benefits for people with disabilities.
A report by KFF Health News highlighted systemic errors indicated by statements from state officials, retrieved emails, and attorney interviews. Deloitte’s spokesperson contested these claims, asserting that their systems perform effectively according to state specifications.
Lynn Sutfin from Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services stated that they are unaware of systemic issues within the eligibility systems, like Bridges.
States are rapidly updating Medicaid systems due to legal changes, adding more pressure on these systems. Deloitte and similar companies are integral to these updates, facilitated by contracts worth millions.
Michigan intended Noon’s Medicaid eligibility to be recognized through a specific program for working disabled adults. However, the system’s error wrongly categorized Noon’s financial and disability status.
Advocates express concern about the system’s reliability, indicating potential future challenges with the modifications required by federal regulations.
In Texas, similar issues arose when a young adult with disabilities was incorrectly switched to an irrelevant health plan. Errors like these reflect broader systemic challenges.
Michigan’s own audits identified flaws where the state couldn’t oversee the system independently, with gaps in transferred knowledge from Deloitte.
Kolosova, a disability rights attorney, noted an increase in wrongful Medicaid denials, attributing issues partly to system overloads and errors in recognizing disability status.
Resolving Noon’s case required several months of persistent appeals, reflecting on the broader struggles faced by those dependent on Medicaid.
Deloitte and state officials acknowledge systemic limitations and are implementing corrections. However, concerns persist regarding accurate assessments and fair treatment within Medicaid systems.
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