Iowa Auditor Urged to Investigate $10.7M in Unpaid Nursing Home Fees

(Des Moines) Advocates are calling for an investigation into the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services’ failure to collect over ten-point-seven-million dollars in Quality Assurance Assessment fees from nursing homes. The fees, designed to boost Medicaid reimbursements for increased caregiver pay, remain unpaid by 49 facilities, including one West Des Moines company owing three-point-six million. Despite reporting these issues, the Iowa Auditor’s Office lack enforcement power, prompting calls for a deeper audit into the handling of these fees and compliance with wage increase requirements.