Finding Text
FINDING 2022-007 Federal program Federal Assistance Listing 93.697 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 Testing and Mitigation for Rural Health Clinics Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles and Reporting Material Weakness in Internal Control over Compliance and Material Noncompliance Criteria The terms and conditions of the COVID-19 Testing and Mitigation for Rural Health Clinics program state only expenses allowable under the terms and conditions of the program are to be reported. Condition During the process of identifying expenses eligible under the COVID-19 Testing and Mitigation for Rural Health Clinics program, management did not reduce certain costs by estimated cost-based reimbursement to be received from Medicare. Cause Due to the amount of detailed information required to be compiled by management in order to enter data into the PRF reporting portal, management inadvertently did not reduce certain costs by the estimated Medicare cost-based reimbursement. Effect Management included amounts in the PRF reporting portal which were not eligible based on the terms and conditions of the PRF program. Questioned costs Total questioned costs amounted to $42,155 and were calculated based off the underlying expense detail management used to complete the PRF reporting portal and the estimated Medicare cost-based reimbursement percentage. Perspective/Context During our testing related to program 93.498, we noted management used the same excel workbook to record and track potential eligible costs for program 93.697. In tracking the cost items reported for program 93.697 we also noted management inadvertently missed reducing some of the amounts by the estimated Medicare cost-based reimbursement percentage. Recommendation We recommend management contact HRSA to determine the steps necessary to resolve this matter. Additionally, we recommend management review its current internal controls over federal award compliance and revise its processes to ensure that only eligible costs are included in amounts reported. Views of responsible officials and planned corrective actions Management agrees with the noted finding. Management will continue to refine processes to ensure only allowable costs are reported.