Finding 374367 (2023-005)

Department of Health and Human Services Federal Financial Assistance Listing #93.498 COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund and American Rescue Plan Applicable Federal Award Number and Year – Period 4 TIN #860107344 Reporting Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance and Material Noncompliance Criteria: 2 CFR 200.303(a) establishes that the auditee must establish and maintain effective internal control over the federal award that provides assurance that the entity is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and conditions of the federal award. Condition: The Hospital’s expenditures reported as eligible and claimed under the Provider Relief Fund program did not agree to the underlying detail listing. The current key financial personnel were unable to reconcile the differences between the support and the amounts reported. Cause: There was turnover in key financial positions. The established internal controls did not ensure the underlying detail supported expenditures reported for Period 4. Effect: The lack of adequate policies governing report preparation and submission increases the risk that the report could be filed incorrectly. Questioned Costs: None reported relating to Period 4 as total eligible expenditures on the underlying detail listing exceeded amount of Period 4 funds received. Context: The key line item related to total Provider Relief Expenses was tested on the Period 4 Department of Health and Human Services special report. Repeat Finding from Prior Years: No Recommendation: We recommend that the Hospital strengthen the control process for maintaining documentation of the final expenditure listing used to report under the federal program. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding.