Finding Text
Program Name/ALN Title: Health Center Cluster Federal Assistance Listing Number: 93.224/93.527 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Award Period: 6/1/2024 – 5/31/2025, 6/1/25-5/31/26 Criteria: Health centers must prepare and apply a sliding fee discount schedule so that the amounts owed for health center services by eligible patients are adjusted (discounted) based on the patient’s ability to pay. (42 USC 254(k)(3)(E), (F), and (G); 42 CFR sections 51c.303(e), (f), and (g); and 42 CFR sections 56.303(e), (f), and (g)). Condition: The organization assessed one patient with an incorrect sliding fee discount based on their family size and income documentation. Context: One (1) of forty (40) transactions selected for testing. In the one instance, the organization collected less patient payments then they were entitled to. Cause: Oversight. Effect: Applicants assessed are not charged according to the Organization's sliding fee scale and their associated family size and income. Recommendation: Management should consider increasing the frequency of its self-reviews of patient encounters or expanding its sample sizes in addition to providing additional training for front desk staff regarding the collection and verification of patient information for each patient. Views of the Responsible Officials: There is no disagreement with the audit finding.