04.16.12 Responding to provider complaints, the state health agency announced Friday that it will put off plans to further delay payment of Medicaid claims.

The 21-day cycle had been scheduled to be phased in before the July 1 start of the new state fiscal year.

“We heard from providers that the additional hold time would be disruptive to their business practices,” said DHH Secretary Bruce Greenstein.

DHH recently moved from a seven-day to a 14-day turnaround time to pay Medicaid claims submitted by physicians, hospitals and those who provide home services for the elderly and developmentally disabled.