Finding 403696 (2022-003)

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Requirement
ABEN
Questioned Costs
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Year
2022
Accepted
2024-06-28

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The District improperly received COVID-19 funds after transferring hospital operations to Lion Star, violating compliance requirements.
  • Impacted Requirements: Non-compliance with 45 CFR section 75.302 regarding allowable costs and eligibility for federal funding.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Ensure future reimbursements for federal grants are requested using the correct employer identification number.

Finding Text

Criteria: (45 CFR section 75.302) Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles, Eligibility, and Special Tests and Provisions. Condition: The District received COVID-19 HRSA funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services but the District cannot meet the compliance requirements for this program as they transferred the operations of the hospital to Lion Star Nacogdoches Hospital, LLC (Lion Star). Questioned costs: Unknown Context: On July 14, 2021, the District transferred hospital operations to Lion Star. After the transfer of operations and throughout the fiscal year, the District received COVID-19 funds under this program. During the fiscal year, the District transferred the entirety of these funds received to Lion Star. Effect: The District does not have support of the patients in this program since the hospital operations were transferred to Lion Star and should have returned the funds to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Cause: During the fiscal year, the District transferred the operations of the hospital to Lion Star but the District received COVID-19 funding under the incorrect employer identification number. Identification as a repeat finding: Not a repeat finding. Recommendation: The District should ensure they only request reimbursement for federal grants for programs with the correct employer identification number. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions: Management agrees with the findings and recommendations.

Corrective Action Plan

We are in receipt of the findings required to be reported by the single audit for COVID19 Claims Reimbursement for the Uninsured Program and the COVID19 Coverage Assistance Fund specifically, regarding discrepancies in funding received under a different employer identifier number. Management does not dispute the finding. The District is in it’s second year after going through an asset purchase transaction, whereby the physical assets were retained by the District, but the operations of the hospital were sold. As the District moves forward, we will work to develop policies and procedures over financial reporting to ensure they only request reimbursement for federal grants for programs with the correct employer identification number. Lynn Lindsey, Chief Financial Officer, will be responsible to ensure that this is accomplished and will begin to implement new procedures. The corrective action plan will be implemented by September 30, 2024.

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Special Tests & Provisions Cash Management Eligibility

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.461 Covid-19 Testing for the Uninsured $1.29M
93.498 Provider Relief Fund $1.05M