Open Recommendations

Create or amend metrics to compare the timeliness of claims processing using automation tools versus the traditional process.

We recommend that USAID's Office of Acquisition and Assistance, Cost, Audit and Support Division verify that IAVI corrects the two instances of material noncompliance detailed on pages 1 and 3 of the audit report.

We recommend that CMS monitor HHA reporting of the new G-codes to determine whether further updates to regulations or guidance are necessary.

Create a stand-alone Statutory Benefit Continuation (SBC) election form, and if feasible, provide more options for beneficiaries to elect SBC, such as electronic election or verbal attestation.

Create additional controls to ensure the Agency issues SBC payments when due, especially for beneficiaries whose appeals the Appeals Council has remanded back to the Administrative Law Judges.

Improve communication between the hearing office and field office to ensure good cause determinations are applied accurately, especially when a beneficiary’s good cause statement for filing a late appeal and an SBC request are the same.

Improve systems to ensure medical cessation dates are recorded correctly on Supplemental Security Income records.

Improve systems to ensure SBC payments to Disability Insurance beneficiaries and auxiliary beneficiaries are stopped in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations, and policy.

Implement process improvements to ensure prompt notification and removal of user network accounts on or before the user’s separation date.

CMS should encourage and support States' efforts to reduce barriers to MOUD, especially among groups who may be underserved.

CMS should encourage States and work with Federal partners to educate Medicaid and CHIP enrollees about access to MOUD.

We recommend the Under Secretary for the Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans update and finalize the DHS biometric strategic plan.

We recommend the Under Secretary for the Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans, in collaboration with key stakeholders, develop and implement a department-wide policy for the collection and use of all biometric modalities.

We recommend the Under Secretary for the Office of Strategy, Policy, and Plans, in collaboration with key stakeholders, develop and implement a department-wide policy for the collection and use of all biometric modalities.

We recommend the Under Secretary for Management, as chair of the Biometric Capabilities Executive Steering Committee, ensure the committee coordinates efforts to develop a transition plan to integrate U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Biometric Entry-Exit system with the Office of Biometric Identity Management’s Homeland Advanced Recognition Technology system.

We recommend the Acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training implement a process to ensure OCIO performs required reviews of NASWA’s IDH system in a timely manner.

The Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network directors and facility senior leaders, ensure providers counsel patients who have the potential to become pregnant on the risks and benefits of teratogenic medications prior to prescribing them and document this counseling in the electronic health record.

The Under Secretary for Health, in conjunction with Veterans Integrated Service Network directors and facility senior leaders, ensure providers counsel patients who have the potential to become pregnant on the risks and benefits of teratogenic medications prior to prescribing them and document this counseling in the electronic health record.

Update the purchasing policy regarding purchase order issuance, to include, at a minimum, requirements for use of Postal Service Form 8203, signatures, and documentation retention requirements.

Develop and implement a tool, such as a checklist, to verify contracting personnel consistently complete, retain, and provide oversight of contract file documentation for each acquisition type.

Update the purchasing policy to designate and clearly describe the roles and responsibilities of each individual involved in the acquisition planning and contracting process.

Create a policy outlining comprehensive requirements to close contracts, including a checklist of closeout documentation.

Implement procedures to review and reconcile SCORE’s achievements reported in its quarterly performance reports to the performance results in the Entrepreneurial Development Management Information System (EDMIS) to ensure performance results are accurate and complete.

Coordinate with Experian to ensure SBA commercial loan data is reported in a manner that can be included in the credit reporting agency’s commercial credit files.

Establish communication protocols with Experian to address, resolve, and monitor commercial credit reporting issues.