Healthcare compliance affects every type of healthcare organization and provider.
Due to increased governmental audits and investigations, it’s extremely important that organizations establish processes, procedures, and policies as part of an effective healthcare program. Such a program can help them meet the required legal, ethical, and professional standards.
The aim of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is to combat fraud, waste, and abuse in the healthcare industry. Enforcement taken against healthcare organizations and providers can include financial penalties, fines, settlements, and even imprisonment. Obviously, ensuring proper compliance is not to be taken lightly.
In order to achieve the proper level of compliance, healthcare providers and organizations should use the following core principles:
1. Incorporate Written Policies, Procedures, and Standards of Conduct
Policies, procedures, and standards of conduct should promote healthcare organizations’ commitment to compliance and address specific areas of risk. They should be clearly written, reviewed, and updated on a regular basis.
2. Designate a Compliance Officer and Compliance Committee
The compliance officer operates and monitors a healthcare compliance program. The compliance committee should include different functions within the organization aimed to support and advise the compliance officer. Designating a Compliance Officer and Compliance Committee prevents, detects, and corrects non-compliance within the health organization.
3. Ensure Effective Training and Education
All members of a healthcare organization should receive training on fraud and abuse laws, as well as the healthcare compliance program. Effective training and education can be achieved by offering compliance training frequently, making training and education part of the job requirements, and staying current on compliance issues and trends.
4. Implement Internal Monitoring and Auditing
This portion of the healthcare compliance program involves an ongoing process of evaluation and assessment to prevent bad behavior and ensure the effectiveness of education and corrective action. Internal monitoring and auditing should establish an annual work plan, determine any areas of risk, proactively audit, and review the compliance program.
5. Enforce Standards of Conduct
Standards of conduct outline a healthcare organization’s rules, responsibilities, proper practices, and expectations of its employees. To ensure an effective compliance program, standards should be – without exceptions – followed continuously and consistently throughout the organization. It’s also important to respond promptly to detected offenses with corrective action.
Finding a Chief Compliance Officer
Looking for a top candidate to become your Chief Compliance Officer can be challenging. If you try to do it on your own, the process is often time-consuming, expensive, competitive, and frustrating.
According to the Economist, 80% to 90% of Fortune 250 companies use recruiters when searching for executive leaders such as a Chief Compliance Officer. Experienced search firms can not only simplify the process but uncover the very best candidates. They even have the ability to recruit impressive passive executives not actively seeking a new role. The result? Health organizations are able to hire the most qualified candidates who firmly understand the regulations and requirements of today’s compliance laws.
And isn’t that who you want overseeing your compliance policies?
Contact Our Team Today
Horizon Healthcare Management is a proven nursing and healthcare recruitment firm that puts the goals of our clients first. If you’re a healthcare organization seeking to add permanent, temporary, per diem, locum tenens, or executive-level professionals, visit our Employer Opportunities page today.