Healthicity Blog

Compliance and coding are complicated.

We all “report up” to somebody at some point and that goes for the OIG, too, in their regular reports to Congress. Recently, the OIG submitted its Semiannual Report to Congress for the period of Oct. 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017.

Opinions aren’t always the most effective way to make a case. I’ve found that it’s always easier to find an existing citation or reference instead of using your opinion. Opinions simply sound too subjective and there are too many gray areas in compliance for subjectivity.

“What are the first steps I should take to improve my compliance program right now?”

To put it simply: The more you know, the better off you’ll be. A great compliance program starts with knowledge of compliance, rules and regulations, and best practices.

It’s always interesting to hear a doctor’s perspective on compliance, but it’s even more interesting when that doctor happens to be the OIG’s Chief Medical Officer. I had the pleasure of hearing her, Julie Taitsman, MD, JD, speak at the HCCA’s Regional Compliance Conference this May in New York...

Often, compliance officers are left alone in their own department to do their own things. It can become a little isolating. So, it’s always important to find a trusted person to talk with about compliance issues.

Compliance officers have a lot to juggle. Incident management, internal auditing and monitoring, and enforcing standards, are just a few of the things you need to master. Plus, it seems like new guidelines are emerging from every corner.

“…let me be clear: healthcare fraud is a priority for the Department of Justice,” is how Kenneth Blanco, acting Assistant Attorney General of the DOJ’s Criminal Division, began his speech on May 18, 2017, at the Institute on Health Care Fraud of the American Bar Association.