N.J. Admin. Code § 8:31B-4.7

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 8:31B-4.7 - Objective evidence

(a) Information produced by the accounting process should be based, to the extent possible, upon objectively determined facts. Transactions should be supported by properly executed documents such as charge slips, purchase orders, suppliers' invoices, cancelled checks, etc. Such documents serve as objective evidence of transactions and should be retained as a source of verification of the data in the accounting records.

(b) Certain determinations that enter into accounting records are based on estimates. Such estimates should be based on past experience modified by expected future considerations. Examples would include recognition of estimated provisions for bad debts and self-insurance funding and the reporting of other operating expenses separately from Costs Related to Patient Care. Items of Other Operating Expenses, if not directly classified by the hospital, if large in amount, must be identified through a cost study, and if small in amount, costs may be deemed equal to revenue and such costs apportioned among the appropriate natural classifications of expense based on the hospital's estimate or the classifications of the center where originating. Worksheets are provided along with Reporting Schedules to aid the hospital in making all appropriate reclassifications. All such reclassifications should be consistent with the concept of materiality, defined in 8:31B-4.11.

(c) Books, papers, records, or other data relevant to matters of hospital ownership, organization, and operation must be maintained. The data must be maintained in an ongoing recordkeeping system which allows the data to be readily verified by qualified auditors.

N.J. Admin. Code § 8:31B-4.7