Office of Inspector General's Partnership Plan: Transportation Services for Montana's Medicaid Program

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

This report on an audit of the Transportation Services for Montana's Medicaid Program for State Fiscal Years (FY) 1994 and 1995 was conducted by the Montana Legislative Auditor (MLA). The objective of the review was to determine if the Department of Public Health and Human Services' (Department) controls in place ensured that the payments for transportation services were necessary and reasonable.

This work was conducted as part of our partnership efforts with State Auditors to expand audit coverage of the Medicaid program. As part of the review, the Office of Audit Services assisted the MLA by providing technical support through the Medicaid Partnership Plan. In addition, we have performed sufficient work to satisfy ourselves that the attached MLA report can be relied upon and used by the Health Care Financing Administration in meeting its program oversight responsibilities.

The MLA determined that the controls in place appear effective to assure that the payments for transportation services are necessary and reasonable but several improvements were identified which could further strengthen the control system.

The MLA recommended that the Department strengthen controls by (1) clarifying program monitoring contract requirements, (2) clearly delineating county program involvement and, (3) developing a method of recipient reimbursement in compliance with all statutes and regulations. The Department concurs with the recommendations.

As we do with all audit reports developed by nonfederal auditors, we have provided a listing of the coded recommendations for use in working with the State to resolve findings and recommendations through our stewardship report.

We plan to share this report with other States to encourage their participation in our partnership efforts.