Finding 1228434 (2023-008)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2026-08-31
Audit: 410104
Organization: Sayre Health Center (PA)
Auditor: CBIZ CPAS PC

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Health Center lacks proper documentation for applying sliding fee discounts, leading to a material weakness in compliance controls.
  • Impacted Requirements: The inability to support patient eligibility and discount application may result in incorrect discounts and flawed management decisions.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should establish clear procedures for applying discounts and ensure all eligibility forms are documented and retained for future reference.

Finding Text

Special Provisions - Inadequate Documentation and Records for Application of Sliding Fee Discounts – Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Health Center Program and American Rescue Plan Act Funding for Health Centers, ALN 93.224; Ending HIV Epidemic – Primary Care HIV Prevention, ALN 93.527. Criteria The Health Center is required to apply a sliding fee discount for health services provided to eligible patients. This sliding fee discount is based on the patient’s ability to pay. Condition and Context The Health Center was unable to provide documentation to support the service provided and income requirements of patients and the proper application of the sliding fee discount to patients seen during the year. Cause Staff turnover in the Finance Department coupled with inadequate controls to ensure that the sliding fee discount was properly applied to patient’s based on their eligibility. Effect and Potential Effect Discounts to patient service fees may have been improperly provided and inaccurate information may have been used in making management decisions during the year. Questioned Costs Amount, if any, could not be determined due to lack of supporting documentation. Repeat Finding Yes (2022-007). Recommendation We recommend that management implement procedures to ensure that the sliding fee discount is properly applied to patients based on their eligibility. We also recommend that management implement a process of formal documenting the review and approval of sliding fee discount eligibility forms. Such forms should also be retained in case needed for future reference purposes. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Action See corrective action plan.

Corrective Action Plan

Finding No. 2023-008: Inadequate Documentation and Records for Application of Sliding Fee Discounts We have incorporated a policy that establishes the basis for the sliding fee policy to assure affordable access to care for uninsured and underinsured patients of the organization. The policy will recognize a “full discount” for individuals and families with annual incomes at or below 100% FPL with only nominal fees charged, three levels of discount between 100% and 200%, and no discounts for copays for individuals and families earning over 200% FPL. This policy will be in accordance with Section 330(k)(3)(G) of the PHS Act and 42 CFR Part 51c.303(f) and 42 CFR Part 51c.303(u) which are incorporated herewith. We will charge a nominal fee to individuals and families with annual incomes at or below 100% of the Federal poverty level (FPL). Patients whose incomes are above 100% and at or below 200% of the FPL will be charged according to our sliding fee scale based on income and family size. Discounts will be provided to patients with incomes up to 200% of the FPL for medical visits. Discounts will be provided to patients with incomes up to 250% of the FPL for family planning visits. Staff will assess patients’ incomes based upon a sliding fee scale and no patient will be denied care based upon their inability to pay. The organization also has a policy of non-discrimination in the delivery of health care as stated in its Patient Bill of Rights. Also, the Board of Directors define the income and family size, and has defined the family size to be all parents, minors or guardians that are financially responsible for the household. The tracking and documentation of sliding fees is now maintained with the deposit record of each fee received in the shared file for immediate availability and reference.

Categories

Subrecipient Monitoring Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Eligibility Material Weakness Internal Control / Segregation of Duties Special Tests & Provisions

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 1228420 2023-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228421 2023-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228422 2023-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228423 2023-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228424 2023-010
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228425 2023-011
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228426 2023-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228427 2023-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228428 2023-008
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228429 2023-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228430 2023-010
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228431 2023-011
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228432 2023-006
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228433 2023-007
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228435 2023-009
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228436 2023-010
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1228437 2023-011
    Material Weakness Repeat

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.224 HEALTH CENTER PROGRAM $372,357
93.527 GRANTS FOR NEW AND EXPANDED SERVICES UNDER THE HEALTH CENTER PROGRAM $322,035