Finding Text
Finding Number: 2025‐002 Repeat Finding: No Program Name/Assistance Listing Title: Tribal Self Determination Assistance Listing Number: 93.441 Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Award Number: N/A Pass‐Through Agency: N/A Questioned Costs: N/A Type of Finding: Noncompliance, Significant Deficiency Compliance Requirement: Eligibility Criteria According to Indian Health Services (IHS) eligibility requirements, Individuals of Indian descent belonging to the Indian community served by the local facilities and program are eligible to receive services. An individual may be regarded as within the scope of the Indian health and medical service if the individual is regarded as an Indian by the community in which the individual lives as evidenced by such factors as tribal membership, enrollment, residence on tax‐exempt land, ownership of restricted property, active participation in tribal affairs, or other relevant factors in keeping with the general Bureau of Indian Affairs practices in the jurisdiction (42 CFR 136.12(a)). Condition The School Board did not always retain documentation demonstrating that patients met eligibility requirements prior to receiving services. Cause Management procedures for verifying and retaining eligibility documentation were not consistently followed. As a result, required documentation was not maintained for all individuals receiving program services. Effect The School Board was not in compliance with IHS eligibility requirements. Context The sample was not intended to be, and was not, a statistically valid sample. For two of 40 patients tested, the School Board could not provide a Certificate of Indian Blood or other documentation supporting the patients' eligibility for services provided under the program. Recommendation The School Board should ensure adequate documentation demonstrating that patients met eligibility requirements is obtained prior to receiving services to achieve full compliance with IHS eligibility requirements. Finding Number: 2025-002 Views of Responsible Officials See Corrective Action Plan.