SPRINGFIELD, Ill.  — Illinois officials are so far behind on determining Medicaid eligibility for 15,000 nursing home residents that privately run facilities are fronting $300 million in care while state officials struggle with the backlog, according to interviews and documents obtained by The Associated Press.

The state must now put up the cost of care for those who have waited more than 45 days for a determination of their Medicaid eligibility, according to conditions set by a federal judge.