Finding 1081162 (2022-003)

Federal Program Information Federal Agencies: Department of Health and Human Services Awards: Assistance Listing Number 93.498 COVID 19 – Provider Relief Fund and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural Distribution Award Periods: Period 3 – January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022; Period 4 – June 30, 2021 to December 31, 2022 Description: Preparation of Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards Type of Finding: Significant Deficiency in Internal Control Over Compliance   Criteria In accordance with Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Part 200.303, Internal controls, “Establish and maintain effective internal control over the Federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the non-Federal entity is managing the Federal award in compliance with Federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the Federal award.” Condition The System did not have appropriately designed internal controls in place to determine the correct amount of COVID 19 Provider Relief Fund (PRF) grant awards on the Schedule of Expenditures of Federal Awards (the Schedule) for the year ended December 31, 2022. Cause The Schedule for the year ended December 31, 2022 continued to include a number of COVID 19 programs. These programs did not follow the historical grant process and therefore, various individuals in the System were involved and responsible for monitoring the terms and conditions of the federal awards and reporting of the federal expenditures. Management did not design internal controls to accurately report expenditures within the Schedule. Effect or potential effect The reporting and verification of the completeness and accuracy of the expenditures included in the Schedule is not sufficient. Questioned costs None. Identification of a repeat finding This is a repeat finding and relates to prior year finding 2021-001.   Context We identified that the Schedule for the PRF grant awards did not include rural distributions of $1,483,532. Management reconciled the Schedule to the payments received as well as to the HHS Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) database, which inappropriately excluded the rural distributions. Management subsequently corrected the amount and the federal expenditures reported on the Schedule include the rural distributions. Recommendation The System’s policy and procedures should be designed to ensure accurate reporting as required by the Uniform Guidance. View of responsible officials There is no disagreement with the audit finding.