Finding 635154 (2022-001)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2022
Accepted
2023-06-27
Audit: 56604

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: The organization did not consistently apply the sliding fee discount policy for all patients, leading to incorrect charges for services.
  • Impacted Requirements: Health centers must accurately calculate patient fees based on income and family size, as mandated by federal guidelines.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should enhance training and procedures for front desk staff to ensure accurate input of income data into the electronic health record system.

Finding Text

Reference Number Findings 2022-001 Finding Type - Significant Deficiency CFDA Number, Federal Agency/Pass-Through Agency and Program Name - 93.224/93.527- Health Center Program Cluster Repeat Finding - No Questioned Costs - None Criteria - Health centers must prepare and apply a sliding fee discount schedule so that amounts owed by patients for health care services are calculated. Discounts are adjusted based on family income and size. Condition - The Organization has a sliding fee discount policy that is based on income and family size; however it was not followed for all patients during the year. Context - Out of a sample of 25 patients selected for testing, income calcuation was not inputted for 3 of the patients. Cause and Effect - Income data was not inputted by the intate staff for 3 of the patients selected for testing. As a result, patients were not charged the correct amount for the services based on the sliding fee discount policy. Recommendation - We recommend that management implement procedures to ensure that income calculation is inputted into the electronic health record system. View of Responsible Officials and Corrective Action Planned - Management agrees with the finding and will conduct a review of the current process for data intake and application of sliding fee calculations into eClinicalWorks (our Electronic Health Record system) performed by front desk staff. Process improvement actions will be taken (including trainings) to ensure all front desk staff have full understanding of the process, address any concerns, and avoid future errors.

Categories

Significant Deficiency

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 58710 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 58711 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 58712 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 635152 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency
  • 635153 2022-001
    Significant Deficiency

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.224 Consolidated Health Centers (community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care) $535,456
93.527 Affordable Care Act (aca) Grants for New and Expanded Services Under the Health Center Program $409,291
93.940 Hiv Prevention Activities_health Department Based $121,752
93.247 Advanced Nursing Education Grant Program $20,806