Finding 526761 (2022-002)

Material Weakness Repeat Finding
Requirement
L
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2025-03-12

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The Authority incorrectly reported lost revenues for Period 2 by not adjusting for unallowable expenses identified in the 2021 audit.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with CFR 200.303(a) regarding effective internal controls over federal awards was not maintained.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: For future reports to HRSA, use Option 3 to accurately reflect lost revenues and account for unallowable expenses from previous periods.

Finding Text

Department of Health and Human Services Federal Assistance Listing #93.498 COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural Distribution Applicable Federal Award Number and Year - Period 2 TIN #736060815 Reporting Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Compliance and Material Noncompliance Criteria: 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 Authority selected Option 1, as defined by HRSA, to calculate lost revenue. This option consists of reporting actual revenues from relevant quarters in the period of availability with the system calculating the lost revenues because of declines. The fiscal year 2021 single audit identified unallowable expenses totaling $263,861. The Company utilized excess lost revenues at the time to cover this difference. To capture the use of these lost revenues from Period 1, the Authority should have used Option 3, as defined by HRSA, to calculate and report lost revenues. Within that calculation, lost revenues could then be reduced by the $263,861. Cause: The Authority's Period 2 report to HRSA was filed prior to the completion of the 2021 single audit and identification of these unallowable expenses. Effect: The reporting to HRSA for Period 2 was considered incorrect. The Authority did not reduce lost revenues by amounts used in the prior period on unallowable expenses. While the effects of the report errors did not result in unallowable lost revenues during Period 2, errors to amounts reported for lost revenues could result in unallowable costs. Questioned Costs: None reported. Context/Sampling: All key line items on the Period 2 report to HRSA were tested. Repeat Finding from Prior Years: No. Recommendation: We recommend the Authority report on lost revenues for any future reporting to HRSA utilizing Option 3 in order to show the use of the unallowable expenses from Period 1. Views of Responsible Officials: Management agrees with the finding.

Corrective Action Plan

Reporting - Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance and Material Noncompliance Identification of the Federal Program: Provider Relief Fund and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Rural Distribution - 93.498. Finding Summary: The Authority selected Option 1, as defined by HRSA, to calculate lost revenue. This option consists of reporting actual revenues from relevant quarters in the period of availability with the system calculating the lost revenues because of deadlines. The fiscal year 2021 single audit identified unallowable expenses totaling $263,861. The Company utilized excess lost revenues at the time to cover this difference. To capture the use of these lost revenues from Period 1, the Authority should have used Option 3, as defined by HRSA, to calculate and report lost revenues. Within that calculation, lost revenues could then be reduced by the $263,861. Responsible Individual: Dawn Ballard. Corrective Action Plan: Due to the timing of completion of the single audit requirements and identification of questioned costs, the report for Period 2 was unable to properly reflect the identified questioned costs. Management will implement process and procedures to ensure all required reports are completed accurately, in the event similar funding is received in the future. Anticipated Completion Date: January 16, 2025

Categories

Allowable Costs / Cost Principles Material Weakness Reporting

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 526762 2022-003
    Material Weakness
  • 1103203 2022-002
    Material Weakness Repeat
  • 1103204 2022-003
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.498 Provider Relief Fund and American Rescue Plan (arp) Rural Distribution $5.03M
93.155 Rural Health Research Centers $254,626
93.301 Small Rural Hospital Improvement Grant Program $10,911