Review of the Internal Control Structure Over the Accounts Payable Balance for the Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund at September 30, 1992

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

This final audit report presents the results of our review of the internal control structure over the accounts payable balance for the supplementary medical insurance trust fund at September 30, 1992. We identified problems with the design and implementation of the Health Care Financing Administration's (HCFA) internal control structure and accounting policies used to report supplementary medical insurance trust fund accounts payable balances. The HCFA's financial reporting instructions to the carriers were too general causing accounts payable amounts to be calculated and reported inconsistently. Also, accounting policy issues need to be addressed because certain benefit payment checks and contracted services were improperly included in the accounts payable balance. Recommendations call for HCFA to take steps to ensure the accuracy and reliability of accounts payable balances.