Finding 7598 (2023-001)

Finding 2023.001: Sliding Fee Scale Documentation Grantor: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Program Names: Health Center Program Cluster Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care), COVID-19 Health Center Program (Community Health Centers, Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless, and Public Housing Primary Care), Grants for New and Expanded Services under the Health Center Program. COVID-19 Grants for New and Expanded Services under the Health Center Program. Federal Assistance Listing Numbers: 93.224 and 93.527 Criteria Health centers are required to have a corresponding schedule of discounts applied and adjusted on the basis of patients' ability to pay and their eligibility. A patient's eligibility to pay is determined on the basis of the official poverty guideline, as revised by DHHS (42 CFR Sections 51c, 107(b)(5), 56.108(b)(5) and 56.303(f)). The Organization should be implementing and monitoring procedures to properly determine, calculate and review sliding fee discounts issued to patients in accordance with the Organization's sliding fee scale. Condition The Organization did not always appropriately apply the sliding fee discount based on income levels. Context A test of 40 discount transactions was performed and resulted in 5 instances where the Organization was unable to provide approved documentation. Our sample was a statistically valid sample. Questioned Costs None. Cause The Organization did not have adequate internal controls in place to effectively ensure that patients receive the correct sliding fee discount. Effect The Organization did not comply with the appropriate rules and regulations as per the Uniform Guidance. Identification of Repeat Finding No. Recommendation The Organization should ensure that internal controls are in place to effectively ensure that patients receive the correct sliding fee discounts. Views of Responsible Officials and Planned Corrective Actions Management agrees with the audit finding and will strengthen internal controls and accountability to correct the deficiency.