Finding 1130231 (2023-004)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2025-04-01

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Patients received sliding fee discounts that did not match the Organization's policy.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with sliding fee discount criteria as outlined in federal regulations.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should verify that sliding fee adjustments align with the established policy and patient eligibility.

Finding Text

Federal Assistance Listing Nos. 93.224 and 93.527 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Award No. 5 H80CS28372-09-00 Program Year 2023 Criteria or Specific Requirement – Special Tests and Provisions: Sliding Fee Discounts (42 USC 254(k)(3)(g); 42 CFR sections 51c.303(g) and 42 CFR section 56.303(f)) Condition – Patients received a sliding fee discount that was inconsistent with the stated sliding fee discount categories under the Organization’s policy. Cause –The Organization did not comply with their sliding fee discount policy. Effect – Sliding fee discounts were given to patients that were inconsistent with the Organization’s sliding fee policy. Context – A sample of 25 patient encounters was tested out of the population of 8,900 patient encounters. The sample is not, and is not intended to be, statistically valid. Of the 25 patient encounters tested, three were determined to have resulted in an improper sliding fee adjustment based on the Organization’s policy and screening of patient eligibility. Identification as a repeat finding – Not a repeat finding Recommendation – Management should ensure that sliding fee adjustments are properly applied in accordance with the sliding fee policy and patient eligibility.

Categories

Special Tests & Provisions Eligibility

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 553784 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 553785 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 553786 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 553787 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 553788 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 553789 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1130226 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1130227 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1130228 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1130229 2023-004
    Significant Deficiency
  • 1130230 2023-003
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.527 Grants for New and Expanded Services Under the Health Center Program $915,857
93.224 Health Center Program (community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) $362,870
93.391 Activities to Support State, Tribal, Local and Territorial (stlt) Health Department Response to Public Health Or Healthcare Crises $182,364
93.268 Immunization Cooperative Agreements $33,206
93.526 Grants for Capital Development in Health Centers $23,389