Finding 972172 (2023-005)

Significant Deficiency
Requirement
ABL
Questioned Costs
$1
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-05-02
Audit: 305361
Organization: Central Montana Medical Center (MT)
Auditor: Eide Bailly LLP

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Facilities claimed $15,019 in equipment costs for a project not completed by the deadline of December 31, 2022.
  • Impacted Requirements: Internal controls were ineffective in ensuring compliance with federal award management as per 2 CFR 200.303(a).
  • Recommended Follow-Up: Management should enhance review procedures and internal controls to ensure all claimed costs meet federal program requirements.

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 4 # TIN #237169043 Activities Allowed or Unallowed and Allowable Costs/Cost Principles and Reporting Significant Deficiency in Internal Control over Compliance Criteria –2 CFR 200.303(a) establishes that an entity must establish and maintain effective internal control over a 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 Facilities claimed equipment costs under the Provider Relief Fund program for a project that was not complete at the end of the period of availability, or December 31, 2022. Cause – The Facilities’ internal control process in place to ensure review and approval of expenses claimed under the federal program and the report submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services for Period 4, did not detect the error. Effect – Costs were improperly included within the Period 4 report and caused the reporting submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services to be inaccurate. Questioned Costs – $15,019. Context/Sampling – Detail testing was completed over $1,099,098 of the expenses for activities allowed and unallowable and allowable cost/cost principles. A nonstatistical sample of 4 items were selected for detail testing, which accounted for $991,840 of $1,099,098 of direct program expenditures. One $15,019 invoice, net of reimbursed costs within the sample was deemed a questioned cost, as the equipment was not placed into service as of December 31, 2022. There is a known error of $15,019 for all costs claimed on the Period 4 report related to the equipment. Repeat Finding from Prior Year – No. Recommendation – We recommend that management implement procedures to ensure the costs claimed meet the requirements of the federal program. In addition, we recommend that the Facilities enhance internal control policies to ensure all costs are reviewed to ensure that they are within the period of availability defined by the terms and conditions. Views of Responsible Officials – Management agrees with the finding.

Categories

Questioned Costs Allowable Costs / Cost Principles

Other Findings in this Audit

  • 395729 2023-004
    Material Weakness
  • 395730 2023-005
    Significant Deficiency
  • 972171 2023-004
    Material Weakness

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
93.498 Provider Relief Fund $1.10M
93.155 Rural Health Research Centers $112,338
93.697 Covid-19 Testing for Rural Health Clinics $100,000