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Long-Term Care Authority to Address Issues Raised by Audit
By Ginnie Graham, Tulsa World
January 26, 2008
The Long-Term Care Authority will create a plan of action to address issues brought up in an internal audit by the state Department of Human Services.
The plan was requested by DHS Director Howard Hendrick as part of the ADvantage Waiver program contract, which is now on an extension through March 31. The board approved writing the plan during a special meeting Friday.
"It seems to me we don't have a choice," said Dane Mathews of the Indian Nations Council of Governments. "We have to do that. All we can do is comply."
The audit, released last year, criticized the Tulsa-based authority for payroll errors, excessive administrative salaries and not having certain program controls.
The authority took issue with the findings and sought to appeal. However, no formal appeal process exists for internal audits.
DHS Programs Administrator Thomas Dunning said all entities have a responsibility to address such audit findings.
For the Long-Term Care Authority, that avenue is through the negotiations to renew the ADvantage Waiver contract.
The ADvantage program helps older and disabled people live in their homes rather than in nursing homes.
The plan of action will be ready next week, said Deborah Karns, the authority's CEO.
"Salaries will be at the heart of this plan," Karns said.
"The issue of the audit is fading away, but we are going to have a contract in place April 1. The plan is an attempt by both agencies to reach common ground on the issues."
The plan will also focus on whether the authority needs DHS approval for any business action, Karns said.
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