State organization

1. Single state agency. The department of health and human services is the single state agency with authority to supervise the administration of the Medicaid and children's health insurance program state plan and program. 2. Statewide operation. a. The state plan will be in operation, through a system of local offices on a statewide basis, in accordance with equitable standards for assistance and administration that are mandatory throughout the state. b. The state plan will be administered by the political subdivisions of the state and will be mandatory on such political subdivisions. c. The department of health and human services, hereinafter referred to as the department, will assure that the plan is continuously in operation in all local offices or local agencies through: (1) Methods for informing staff of state policies, standards, procedures, and instructions. (2) Regular planned examination and evaluation of operations in local offices by regularly assigned state staff, including regular visits by such staff; and through reports, controls, or other necessary methods.