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Social Security: A-02-07-17046 | Social Security Administration | Audit
ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS CLAIMED BY THE NEW YORK DIVISION OF DISABILITY DETERMINATIONS June 2007 A-02-07-17046
June 11, 2007 Beatrice M. Disman Regional Commissioner New York Inspector General
Subject: Administrative Costs Claimed by the New York Division of Disability Determinations
(A-02-07-17046)
For our audit of Fiscal Year (FY) 2004 and 2005 administrative costs claimed by the New York Division of Disability Determinations (DDD), our objectives were to • • • evaluate the DDD’s internal controls over the accounting and reporting of administrative costs, determine whether costs claimed by the DDD were allowable and funds were properly drawn, and assess limited areas of the general security controls environment.
A review of the indirect cost was not part of this review. It will be completed at a later date.
Disability determinations under the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income programs are performed by disability determination services (DDS) in each State or other responsible jurisdiction, according to Federal regulations. 1 Each DDS is responsible for determining claimants’ disabilities and ensuring adequate evidence is available to support its determinations. To make proper disability determinations, each DDS is authorized to purchase consultative medical examinations and medical evidence of record from the claimants’ physicians or other treating sources. SSA pays the DDS for 100 percent of allowable expenditures using a State Agency Report of Obligations for SSA Disability Programs (Form SSA-4513). (For additional background information, see Appendix B.)
The New York DDD had effective controls over the accounting and reporting of administrative costs. The costs claimed by the DDD on Forms SSA-4513 for FYs 2004 and 2005 – totaling $286,218,585 – were allowable and funds were properly drawn. However, we found the general security control environment could be improved. The improvements will help ensure the security of sensitive SSA data stored and processed at the site. GENERAL SECURITY CONTROLS Overall Security Plan According to SSA’s Program Operations Manual System (POMS), 2 each DDS must establish and maintain a written DDS security plan. The DDD did not possess an approved overall security plan at the time of our review. The security plan was drafted and awaiting SSA approval before we began our review. The DDD provided us its Business Continuity Plans for each of the four DDD office locations. In the event of a disruption to any SSA system, a Business Continuity Plan can be activated and conducted in tandem with the security plan to ensure the recovery of the affected functions. However, the Business Continuity Plans did not cover all of the eight required parts of an overall security plan. 3 Since our review, the DDD has completed an overall security plan. The plan was approved by SSA regional staff. Other Security Issues We found a few physical security-related issues that needed to be addressed to help ensure SSA data stored and processed at the DDD were secure. The DDD failed to meet certain standards required by SSA physical security guidance. 4 The conditions posed the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive SSA information and systems and the interruption of service if the systems were compromised. The DDD staff stated that the DDD was denied the funding it requested to correct these conditions because of a lack of resources. We discussed our findings with DDD officials and they noted in their response to our draft report that they look forward to working with SSA to rectify the conditions in the near future.
POMS, Section DI 39566.120 B., DDS Security Plan.
The eight required parts of the security plan are DDS Security Description; DDS Systems Interconnection Access Security Plan; Systems Security Awareness and Training Plan; Annual Systems Review/Recertification Plan; Violations Reports and Resolution Plan; Continuity of Operations Plan; Disaster Recovery Plan; and Risk Assessment. They are found in POMS, Section DI 39566.120 C., DDS Security Plan. POMS, Section DI 39566.010 B.1.H., DDS Physical Security.
Page 3 – Beatrice M. Disman
While the DDD’s internal controls over the accounting and reporting of administrative costs were effective, the general physical security controls can be improved. In our draft report, we made two specific recommendations on how to improve the physical security control environment. We omitted the specific recommendations in the final report to prevent compromising DDD security.
SSA’s New York Regional Commissioner and New York State’s Commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance agreed with our comments. Please see Appendix D for the full text of SSA’s comments.
APPENDIX A - Acronyms APPENDIX B - Background, Scope, and Methodology APPENDIX C - Schedule of Total Costs Reported on Forms SSA-4513-State Agency Reports of Obligations for Social Security Administration Disability Programs APPENDIX D - Agency Comments APPENDIX E - OIG Contacts and Staff Acknowledgments
Act C.F.R. DDD DDS DI FY IDS OMB POMS Pub. L. No. SSA SSA-4513 SSI Treasury U.S.C. Social Security Act Code of Federal Regulations Division of Disability Determinations Disability Determination Services Disability Insurance Fiscal Year Intrusion Detection System Office of Management and Budget Program Operations Manual System Public Law Number Social Security Administration State Agency Report of Obligations for SSA Disability Programs Supplemental Security Income Department of the Treasury United States Code
BACKGROUND The Disability Insurance (DI) program, established under Title II of the Social Security Act (Act), 1 provides benefits to wage earners and their families in the event the wage earner becomes disabled. 2 The Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, established under Title XVI of the Act, 3 provides benefits to financially needy individuals who are aged, blind, or disabled. 4 The Social Security Administration (SSA) is responsible for implementing policies for the development of disability claims under the DI and SSI programs. Disability determinations under both the DI and SSI programs are performed by disability determination services (DDS) in each State, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia in accordance with Federal regulations. 5 In carrying out its obligation, each DDS is responsible for determining claimants’ disabilities and ensuring adequate evidence is available to support its determinations. To assist in making proper disability determinations, each DDS is authorized to purchase medical examinations, x-rays, and laboratory tests on a consultative basis to supplement evidence obtained from the claimants’ physicians or other treating sources. SSA reimburses the DDS for 100 percent of allowable expenditures up to its approved funding authorization. The DDS withdraws Federal funds through the Department of the Treasury’s (Treasury) Automated Standard Application for Payments System to pay for program expenditures. Funds drawn down must comply with Federal regulations 6 and intergovernmental agreements entered into by Treasury and States under the Cash Management Improvement Act of 1990. 7
Social Security Amendments of 1954, Pub. L. No. 83-761, 68 Stat. 1089. The Social Security Act, §§ 201-234, 42 U.S.C. §§ 401-434. Social Security Amendments of 1972, Pub. L. No. 92-603, 86 Stat. 1465. The Social Security Act, §§ 1601-1637, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1381-1383f. 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1601 et. seq. and 416.1001 et seq. 31 C.F.R. § 205.1 et seq.
Cash Management Improvement Act of 1990, Pub. L. No. 101-453, 104 Stat. 1058 (amending 31 U.S.C. §§ 6501 and 6503). B-1
An advance or reimbursement for costs under the program must comply with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-87, Cost Principles for State, Local, and Indian Tribal Governments. At the end of each quarter of the Fiscal Year (FY), each DDS submits a State Agency Report of Obligations for SSA Disability Programs (Form SSA-4513) to account for program disbursements and unliquidated obligations. SCOPE To accomplish our objectives, we reviewed the administrative costs the New York Division of Disability Determinations (DDD) reported on its Forms SSA-4513 for FYs 2004 and 2005. For the periods reviewed, we obtained evidence to evaluate recorded financial transactions and determine whether they were allowable under OMB Circular A-87, and appropriate, as defined by SSA’s Program Operations Manual System. We also: • Reviewed applicable Federal laws, regulations and pertinent parts of Program Operations Manual System, DI 39500, DDS Fiscal and Administrative Management, and other instructions pertaining to administrative costs incurred by DDD and draw down of SSA funds. Interviewed staff at the DDD and SSA’s Regional Office. Evaluated and tested internal controls regarding accounting and financial reporting and cash management activities. Verified the reconciliation of official State accounting records to the administrative costs reported by DDD on Forms SSA-4513 for FYs 2004 and 2005. Examined the administrative expenditures (personnel, medical service, and all other non-personnel costs) incurred and claimed by DDD for FYs 2004 and 2005 on Forms SSA-4513. Compared the amount of SSA funds drawn to support program operations to the allowable expenditures reported on Forms SSA-4513. Reviewed the State of New York Single Audit reports issued in 2004 and 2005. Conducted limited general control testing—which encompassed reviewing the physical access security within the DDD.
The electronic data used in our audit were sufficiently reliable to achieve our audit objectives. We assessed the reliability of the electronic data by reconciling them with the costs claimed on the Forms SSA-4513. We also conducted detailed audit testing on selected data elements in the electronic data files. We performed our audit at the DDD in Albany and New York, New York, and the Office of Audit in New York, New York, from September through December 2006.
We conducted our audit in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. METHODOLOGY Our sampling methodology encompassed three of the four general areas of costs as reported on Forms SSA-4513: (1) personnel, (2) medical, and (3) all other non-personnel costs. Indirect cost was not part of this audit and will be reviewed at a later date. We also conducted physical security reviews at both the Albany and New York (Manhattan) locations. We obtained computerized data from the DDD for FYs 2004 and 2005 for use in statistical sampling. Also, we reviewed general security controls the DDD had in place. Personnel Costs We sampled 100 employee salary items from 1 randomly selected pay period in FY 2005. The sample of 100 employees consisted of 50 salaried employees directly related to the standard operations of the DDD and 50 medical doctors. We tested regular and overtime payroll and hours for each individual selected. We verified that approved time records were maintained and supported the hours worked. We tested payroll records to ensure the DDD correctly paid employees and adequately documented these payments. In addition, we ensured the doctors had valid medical licenses. We reviewed all four medical consultants on contract for one randomly selected pay period in FY 2005. These medical consultants were individuals who were contracted out as speech pathologists through an outside vendor. We tested whether the medical consultants were paid in accordance with the approved contract. We also ensured that they had valid licenses to perform their duties. Medical Costs We sampled 100 medical evidence of records and consultative examination records (50 items from each FY) using a proportional random sample. We determined whether sampled costs were properly reimbursed. Indirect Costs Indirect cost was not part of our review. However, we did analyze computer purchases made by the DDD of 708 21-inch monitors. The results of this review were made available in a separate memorandum issued on January 12, 2007.
All Other Non-Personnel Costs We stratified all other non-personnel costs into nine categories: (1) Occupancy, (2) Contracted Costs, (3) Electronic Data Processing Maintenance, (4) Equipment Purchases and Rental, (5) Communications, (6) Applicant Travel, (7) DDS Travel, (8) Supplies, and (9) Miscellaneous. We selected a stratified random sample of 50 items from each FY based on the percentage of costs in each category to total costs. General Security Controls We conducted limited general security control testing. Specifically we reviewed the following eight areas relating to general security controls: (1) Perimeter Security, (2) Intrusion Detection, (3) Key Management, (4) Internal Office Security, (5) Equipment Rooms, (6) Security Plan, (7) Continuity of Operations, and (8) Other Security Issues. We determined whether the general security controls the DDS had in place were satisfactory.
New York Division of Disability Determinations
FISCAL YEARS (FY) 2004 and 2005 COMBINED
REPORTING ITEMS Personnel Medical Indirect * All Other TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS 182,155,822 56,738,359 15,267,533 32,056,871 286,218,585 UNLIQUIDATED OBLIGATIONS 141,603 530,137 12,296,274 -757,520 12,210,494 TOTAL OBLIGATIONS 182,297,425 57,268,496 27,563,807 31,299,351 298,429,079
REPORTING ITEMS Personnel Medical Indirect * All Other TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS 92,425,417 27,301,404 8,904,203 16,335,423 144,966,447 UNLIQUIDATED OBLIGATIONS 21,399 30,066 4,778,282 -1,381,326 3,448,421 UNLIQUIDATED OBLIGATIONS 120,204 500,071 7,517,992 623,806 8,762,073 TOTAL OBLIGATIONS 92,446,816 27,331,470 13,682,485 14,954,097 148,414,868 TOTAL OBLIGATIONS 89,850,609 29,937,026 13,881,322 16,345,254 150,014,211
REPORTING ITEMS Personnel Medical Indirect * All Other TOTAL DISBURSEMENTS 89,730,405 29,436,955 6,363,330 15,721,448 141,252,138
* We did not review indirect costs as part of this audit.
Date: To: From: May 11, 2007 Inspector General Regional Commissioner New York Administrative Costs Claimed by the New York Division of Disability Determinations (A-02-07-17046) - REPLY Refer To: S2D2G5
I appreciate the opportunity to review the attached draft report. I am pleased that the New York (NY) Division of Disability Determinations (DDD) was found to have effective internal controls over the accounting and reporting of administrative costs, that all disbursements charged to the Social Security Administration were allowable and properly allocated and that funds were properly drawn for fiscal years (FYs) 2004 and 2005. The two recommendations outlined in the draft report are reasonable and will assist us in further improving the security and safety controls that are already in place. If members of your staff have any questions concerning this correspondence, they may be directed to Gene Purk, (212) 264-7283 in the Center for Disability.
OIG Contacts Tim Nee, Director, (212) 264-5295 Vicki Abril, Audit Manager, (212) 264-0504 Acknowledgments In addition to those named above: Abraham Pierre, Auditor Stephen L. Liebman, Senior Auditor James Kim, Program Analyst For additional copies of this report, please visit our web site at www.ssa.gov/oig or contact the Office of the Inspector General’s Public Affairs Specialist at (410) 965-3218. Refer to Common Identification Number A-02-07-17046.
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