Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Department/Agency: Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Federal Program Name: Medicaid Cluster Assistance Listing Numbers: 93.775, 93.777, 93.778 Award Period: July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 Award Number: Various Co...
Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services State Department/Agency: Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) Federal Program Name: Medicaid Cluster Assistance Listing Numbers: 93.775, 93.777, 93.778 Award Period: July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025 Award Number: Various Compliance Requirement: Special Tests and Provisions – Provider Health and Safety Standards Type of Finding: Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance, Material Noncompliance (Modified Opinion) Condition: Kansas Department of Health and Environment (Department) was unable to provide supporting documentation that it had performed recertification surveys within the required timeframe which is used to meet the provider health and safety standards. Recommendation: We recommend the Department complete implementation of its corrective action plan from the prior year. We recommend the Department ensure appropriate measures are in place to verify providers are meeting the prescribed health and safety and maintain all records of these verifications. Views of responsible officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding. Action taken in response to finding: In response to the findings, the SSA will initiate a comprehensive review of all surveys remaining open status within ACO to determine the scope and underlying causes of incomplete administrative closure. A structured tracking tool will be developed to reconcile each survey and verify that required documentation, compliance dates, and certification actions were properly entered. The SSA will engage CMS Regional Office for guidance and coordination on appropriate closure actions and implement enhanced quality assurance controls, including routine reconciliation and verification prior to finalizing surveys. This will hopefully prevent recurrence. The SSA is also in the process of upgrading its information technology software systems to accommodate these processes. The SSA will generate a report of all surveys remaining in open status in ACO and prioritize reviews of initial certification or recertifications surveys and enforcement-related cases. Each survey will be reconciled to confirm required actions. Each survey will be reconciled to confirm required actions were completed, including issuing of the CMS 2567, if applicable, acceptance of the plans of corrections, entry of revisit and compliance dates, and completion of certification actions. To help prevent recurrence, the SSA will implement routine ACO reconciliation and establish a Quality Assurance (QA) verification step prior to finalizing surveys. Name(s) of the contact person(s) responsible for corrective action: Jerry Smith, LSCSW, Bureau Director Marilyn St Peter, RN, Deputy Director Bureau of Facilities and Licensing Catherine Lenz BS RN, Deputy Bureau Director Planned completion date for corrective action plan: October 1, 2026