In the latest episode of The Healthcare Compliance Pod, we unpack how to provide meaningful access to language assistance – a topic that’s not only legally relevant due to Section 1557 changes but vital to patient safety and...more
If you’re trying to strengthen your organization’s compliance program, one of the most important recommendations from the Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) General Compliance Program Guidance is to integrate quality and...more
In today’s complex healthcare landscape, whistleblower claims are a major source of regulatory and legal risk for organizations. Last year saw a record number of “qui tam” claims filed under the False Claims Act. While...more
If your organization uses Electronic Health Records (EHRs), the recent updates to the SAFER Guidelines (Safety Assurance Factors for EHR Resilience) are essential for helping you assess the potential safety issues posed by...more
5/8/2025
/ Artificial Intelligence ,
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ,
Cybersecurity ,
EHR ,
Electronic Medical Records ,
Electronic Protected Health Information (ePHI) ,
Health Care Providers ,
Healthcare ,
Healthcare Facilities ,
Risk Assessment ,
Risk Management
Drug diversion can pose serious risks to patients, employees, and organizations. Any provider who stores, transports, or dispenses controlled substances should have a robust program designed to deter drug diversion and to...more
Delegated credentialing for telehealth providers has become commonplace since the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) relaxed the Medicare Conditions of Participation for hospitals more than 10 years ago. Delegated...more
Compliance training is one of the most important responsibilities of the compliance officer. A provider’s best defense to non-compliance is well-trained employees who understand and follow your policies....more
Many healthcare organizations understand the importance of having a Compliance Committee but some struggle to use their committee effectively. The key to ensuring the Compliance Committee is effective is building smart...more
3/3/2025
/ Compliance ,
Compliance Monitoring ,
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Health Care Providers ,
Healthcare ,
Healthcare Facilities ,
OIG ,
Policies and Procedures ,
Regulatory Requirements ,
Risk Assessment ,
Risk Management
As we routinely discuss on the podcast, much of the success of an organization’s compliance program depends on its culture. Creating and fostering a compliance-minded culture can help ensure employees report suspected...more
As the ultimate decision-maker for your organization, your governing body needs to understand compliance and appreciate the compliance risks facing the organization as well as what is needed to mitigate those risks. This...more
Last month the Office of Inspector General for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (OIG) released its first industry-specific compliance program guidance aimed at nursing facilities (both skilled and non-skilled)....more
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is in the midst of an off-cycle revalidation process for all Medicare-participating skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), requiring them to submit much more information...more
Healthcare workers nationally are facing an increase in workplace violence, often instigated by patients and visitors. A study published earlier this year reported that almost 20% of healthcare workers have faced physical...more
10/17/2024
/ Employer Liability Issues ,
Essential Workers ,
Health and Safety ,
Health Care Providers ,
Healthcare ,
Healthcare Facilities ,
Healthcare Workers ,
Nurses ,
Patients ,
Physicians ,
Termination Rights ,
Workplace Safety ,
Workplace Violence
Earlier this year, the US Department of Health & Human Services (“HHS”) released updated regulations governing the use and disclosure of substance use disorder records, referred to as “Part 2.” The Part 2 rules protect...more
Has a patient asked you or one of your providers if they could record a conversation or interaction with you? Would your staff know how to handle such a request? Requests from patients and their families to record...more
Most healthcare providers understand the importance of having a designated Compliance Officer. Someone needs to lead the organization’s compliance initiatives and be responsible for advising the CEO and governing body of...more
Healthcare providers, their employees, medical staff, and patients have long been protected by Federal conscience protections preserving their right to participate in, or refuse to participate in, lawful activities which may...more
When was the last time your organization received an anonymous compliance concern? Has it been so long you can’t recall? Maybe you consider yourself lucky that the organization has never received a concern on your watch, or...more
2/8/2024
/ Anonymity ,
Anti-Corruption ,
Compliance Management Systems ,
Corporate Governance ,
Corporate Management ,
Corporate Misconduct ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Health Care Providers ,
Healthcare Facilities ,
Internal Reporting ,
Whistleblowers ,
White Collar Crimes
In 2020, Congress passed the No Surprises Act (NSA) in an attempt to protect patients from surprise billing. Some sections of the NSA became effective January 1, 2022, while other sections are on hold until regulations are...more
As part of the COVID-19 relief legislation passed at the end of 2020, Congress adopted the “No Surprises Act” which prohibits out-of-network providers from balance billing patients for charges above the rates paid by their...more
Know when and how to contact your Public Health Department -
In this week’s webinars, the Iowa Department of Public Health detailed when providers should contact them. For example, the IDPH asked to be alerted when two or...more
Last month, former Governor Branstad signed House File 517 which significantly expands the rights of gun owners in Iowa. The legislation also allows Iowans to sue cities or counties that enact “gun-free zones.” ...more