113-7          QUALITY ASSESSMENT REVIEWER CONTACT WITH THE CASEWORKER

The Alaska Food Stamp, MEQC Medicaid Eligibility Quality Control , and PERM Payment Error Rate Measurement QA Quality Assurance reviews must be unbiased, independent, and objective.  During the review process, the QA Quality Assurance Reviewer will normally proceed without assistance or contact with the caseworker.  the QA Quality Assurance Reviewer may contact a caseworker directly regarding a Food Stamp review when:

• The recipient cannot be located;
   

• The recipient refuses to cooperate;
   

• The case file documentation is unclear;
   

• The QA Quality Assurance Reviewer found unreported information that impacts future benefits; or
   

• There is reference in the case record to documentation that cannot be located by the QA Quality Assurance Reviewer.

The caseworker may contact the QA Quality Assurance Reviewer to discuss the review findings and verifications obtained during the course of the review.

The QA Quality Assurance Program Officer or designee will notify the Chief of Field Services when field staff must participate in the review process.