By Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare is sending out letters this week in an effort to fast track tens of thousands of Medical Assistance recipients who were booted from the program due to confusion and backlog.

Every six months, the Department of Public welfare is required to review eligibility for Medicaid recipients. But in 2011, problems arose when the department began looking at hundreds of thousands of backlogged cases says Community Legal Services attorney Richard Weisop.

“About 385,000 cases were reviewed and a disturbingly large number of them were found to be ineligible basically due to lack of cooperation.”

Weishaupt says nearly 150,000 recipients were cut, including 90,000 children, many with disabilities. Spokesperson Anne Bale says the department is sending out letters written on blue paper and a one page application that will fast track those cut from the program.

“They’ll have 30 days to submit their eligibility information. We have put together a group of people to review these applications to expedite the process.”

More than 2.2 million Pennsylvanians receive Medicaid benefits.