Finding 393553 (2023-006)

Context: Identification of a repeat finding: Effect: Cause: Recommendation: Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: US Department of Health and Human Services Passed through the NC Department of Health and Human Services Program Name: Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid; Title XIX) AL #: 93.778 Finding: 2023-006 Untimely Review of SSI Termination SIGNIFICANT DEFICENCY Eligibility Criteria: Condition: Questioned Costs: There was no known affect to eligibility and there were no known questioned costs. We examined 60 from a total of 602,939 Medicaid claims from the Medicaid beneficiary report provided by NC Department of Health and Human Services to re-determine eligibility. These findings are being reported with the financial statement audit as it relates to Medicaid administrative cost compliance audit. For those certifications/re-certifications there was a chance that information was not properly documented and reconciled to NC FAST and a participant could have been approved for benefits for which they were not eligible. Ineffective record keeping and ineffective case review process, incomplete documentation, or incorrect application of rules for purposes of determining eligibility. Files should be reviewed internally to ensure proper documentation is in place for eligibility. Workers should be retrained on what files should contain and the importance of complete and accurate record keeping. We recommend that all files include online verifications, documented resources of income and those amounts agree to information in NC FAST. The results found or documentation made in case notes should clearly indicate what actions were performed and the results of those actions. The County agrees with the finding. See Corrective Action Plan in the following section. In accordance with the Medicaid Manual MA-3120, the State sends notification to the County when a participant is no longer eligible under Supplemental Security Income (SSI) determination, the County is required to initiate the ex parte review within 5 workdays of the date the termination appears on the SSI Termination Report, and complete the redetermination within 4 months of the month the case appears on the SSI Termination Report and notify the recipient about applicant's ongoing eligibility for Medicaid. Section III. Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (continued) There were 2 errors discovered during our procedures that inaccurate information was entered when determining eligibility. Context: Identification of a repeat finding: Effect: Cause: Recommendation: Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: US Department of Health and Human Services Passed through the NC Department of Health and Human Services Program Name: Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid; Title XIX) AL #: 93.778 Finding: 2023-007 Inadequate Request for Information SIGNIFICANT DEFICENCY Eligibility Criteria: Condition: Questioned Costs: Section III. Federal Award Findings and Questioned Costs (continued) We examined 60 from a total of 602,939 Medicaid claims from the Medicaid beneficiary report provided by NC Department of Health and Human Services to re-determine eligibility. These findings are being reported with the financial statement audit as it relates to Medicaid administrative cost compliance audit. The County did not initiate ex parte review timely, therefore, no eligibility review was completed in the required time period. The lack of follow up and certification lead to applicants receiving Medicaid benefits for which they were not eligible. Ineffective communication between departments within the Department of Social Services. One area within DSS received State communications that applicants would no longer be eligible for SSI benefits and the County needed to conduct an application process. This information was not shared with other departments in DSS from which the recipient was also receiving benefits. In accordance with 42 CFR 435, documentation must be obtained as needed to determine if a recipient meets specific standards, and documentation must be maintained to support eligibility determinations. Electronic matches are required at applications and redeterminations. There was no known affect to eligibility and there were no known questioned costs.. There were 7 errors discovered during our procedures that inadequate information was requested at applications and/or redeterminations. Any State communications related to applicants’ benefits received by any DSS department should be shared with all areas from which the participant receives benefits. State files should be reviewed internally to ensure all actions have been properly closed and the corrective action has been taken. Workers should be retrained on what process needs to be followed when State communications are received. The County agrees with the finding. See Corrective Action Plan in the following section. This is a repeat finding from the immediate previous audit, 2022-008.