State mental hospital losing thousands in revenue

Saturday, Dec. 16, 2000 | 9:56 a.m.

In a report Thursday to lawmakers, auditors said more than $650,000 wasn't collected in reimbursements from Medicare over the past five years.

In addition, a review of 35 cases shows another $4,500 in services that went unbilled. Projecting that over the year could mean a loss of another $400,000 to $500,000, legislative auditor Gary Crews said.

"That 35 (cases) is only 10 percent of the inmate population for one quarter," Crews said.

The audit also found the institute, located in Sparks, could be undercharging patients for services.

Mike Torvinen of the institute said he's aware of the problems and the agency is taking steps to fix them.

He said the institute plans to reorganize its billing department to make it more efficient, and has asked for money in Gov. Kenny Guinn's budget to train billing agents, particularly on Medicare reimbursements.

In reviewing other audits, state lawmakers questioned a policy that stops many students from taking books home overnight to study.

A legislative audit estimates a third of Nevada's high schools require books on a particular subject to be used in four or five classes every day. Books can't be taken home unless parents of a student seek special permission.

Sen. Joe Neal, D-Las Vegas, said the state spends a "considerable amount of money" on testing of students for proficiency. Now, he added, "I can understand why students are testing under the norm."

Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, said some high school students can't read or write, raising concerns about the upcoming requirement for passing a science test before graduation.

"I wonder if we're setting the students up for failure by not allowing them to bring home the books to study," Perkins said.

But Sen. Dean Rhoads, R-Tuscarora, said the shared-book concept has been around for a century.

Legislative Auditor Doug Peterson said textbook decisions are made by local superintendents, principals or teachers in the classroom.

The audit was authorized by the 1999 Legislature after complaints over the years that schools don't have adequate number of books for students.

Other audits presented Thursday to lawmakers included one that says the state Agency for Nuclear Projects failed to seek federal reimbursement for $50,000 in contract expenses.

The audit of the agency, charged with protecting state interests in the debate over construction of a dump at Yucca Mountain, also criticized the use of emergency funds to buy $15,500 in office furniture, including a set of monogrammed bookends for agency Executive Director Bob Loux.

The audit, reviewed by the Legislature's Audit Subcommittee, also found continued problems with the agency's contracting process - problems that were first identified in a 1995 review.

The agency accepted all seven recommendations for improvement made by the legislative auditor.