Finding 589019 (2022-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
E
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-09-27
Audit: 17290
Organization: Chisago County (MN)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Incomplete documentation in MAXIS affects eligibility determinations for the Medical Assistance Program.
  • Impacted Requirements: Compliance with federal regulations requires proper internal controls over documentation and eligibility verification.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Chisago County should enhance procedures for data entry, provide additional training for staff, and ensure regular supervisory reviews of case files.

Finding Text

2022-001 Eligibility Prior Year Finding Number: N/A Repeat Finding Since: N/A Type of Finding: Internal Control Over Compliance and Compliance Severity of Deficiency: Significant Deficiency and Other Matter Federal Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Program: 93.778 Medical Assistance Program Award Number and Year: 2205MN5ADM, 2022 Pass-Through Agency: Minnesota Department of Human Services Criteria: Title 2 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations ? 200.303 states that the auditee must establish and maintain internal control over the federal award that provides reasonable assurance that the auditee is managing the federal award in compliance with federal statutes, regulations, and the terms and conditions of the federal award. Condition: The Minnesota Department of Human Services maintains the computer system, MAXIS, which is used by Chisago County to support the eligibility determination process. In the case files reviewed for eligibility, not all documentation was input correctly into MAXIS. The following was noted in our sample of 40 case files tested for Medical Assistance eligibility: ? One case file did not contain documentation of citizenship, and ? Four case files contained asset documentation that did not match MAXIS and, of the four, one that lacked documentation of the indicated vehicle verification. Questioned Costs: Not applicable. The County administers the program but benefits to participants in this program are paid by the State of Minnesota. Context: The State of Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) contracts with the county social services departments to perform the ?intake function? (meeting with the social services client to determine income and categorical eligibility), while the state maintains MAXIS, which supports the eligibility determination process and actually pays the benefits to the participants. The sample size was based on guidance from chapter 11 of the AICPA Audit Guide, Government Auditing and Single Audits. Effect: The improper input or updating of information into MAXIS increases the risk that program participants will receive benefits when they are not eligible. Cause: Program personnel entering case information into MAXIS did not ensure all required information was input into MAXIS correctly. Due to staffing levels and the pandemic, supervisory reviews of case files were not being performed. Recommendation: We recommend Chisago County implement additional procedures to provide reasonable assurance that all necessary documentation is properly input or updated in MAXIS. In addition, consideration should be given to providing further training to program personnel and performing supervisory case reviews in MAXIS. View of Responsible Official: Concur

Categories

Eligibility Significant Deficiency Internal Control / Segregation of Duties

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 12575 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 12576 2022-002
    Material Weakness
  • 12577 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 589017 2022-003
    Significant Deficiency
  • 589018 2022-002
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
20.205 Highway Planning and Construction $1.82M
21.027 Covid-19 - Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds $1.78M
10.561 State Administrative Matching Grants for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program $507,878
93.563 Child Support Enforcement $474,175
93.558 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families $288,904
93.667 Social Services Block Grant $267,084
93.658 Foster Care_title IV-E $240,083
10.557 Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children $181,162
93.069 Public Health Emergency Preparedness $78,373
16.575 Crime Victim Assistance $60,494
93.354 Public Health Emergency Response: Cooperative Agreement for Emergency Response: Public Health Crisis Response $55,362
93.994 Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant to the States $39,329
90.404 Covid-19 - 2018 Hava Election Security Grants $36,791
97.042 Emergency Management Performance Grants $30,672
93.575 Child Care and Development Block Grant $23,502
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $20,502
20.608 Minimum Penalties for Repeat Offenders for Driving While Intoxicated $19,894
93.268 Immunization Cooperative Agreements $17,862
93.590 Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention Grants $16,161
20.600 State and Community Highway Safety $14,350
20.616 National Priority Safety Programs $13,955
84.181 Special Education-Grants for Infants and Families $11,410
93.669 Child Abuse and Neglect State Grants $10,532
93.323 Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases (elc) $10,264
97.012 Boating Safety Financial Assistance $7,500
93.674 John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood $6,990
93.556 Promoting Safe and Stable Families $5,293
93.645 Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services Program $4,460
93.767 Children's Health Insurance Program $2,592
93.251 Early Hearing Detection and Intervention $1,025
93.674 Covid-19 - John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood $947
93.566 Refugee and Entrant Assistance_state Administered Programs $824
10.572 Wic Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (fmnp) $509