Compliance News Roundup: Can a Compliance Officer be Part-Time Only?

1. Former General Counsel of Company That Operates Health Maintenance Organizations in Several States Sentenced to Prison for Role in $35 Million Health Care Fraud Scheme - “The former general counsel of a company that operates health maintenance organizations in several states was sentenced to six months in prison today for his role in a $35 million health care fraud scheme.” Get the full scoop >>

2. This doctor signed off on hundreds of medical tests. Treatment wasn’t the reason - “A Miramar doctor has been sentenced in federal court for his part in a $5.5 million healthcare fraud case. Court documents don’t say how much Dr. Joaquin Mendez received from Boynton Beach’s Kenneth Chatman. What Mendez got from U.S. District Court Judge Donald Middlebrooks last week was four years in prison and a $2,198,520 restitution order. What he got in October from the Department of Health after his guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud was an administrative complaint, the first step in possibly removing the medical license Mendez obtained 17 years ago.” Get the full scoop >>

3. Deeper Than the Headlines: Can a Compliance Officer be Part-Time? “One of the seven elements of an effective compliance program is establishing a compliance officer. But many smaller organizations or physician practices simply don’t have the financial resources to employ a full-time compliance officer. Is a full-time compliance officer required? Simply put, the answer is “no.” But if your organization or physician practice is not going to employ a full-time compliance officer, what are the options and best practices?” Get the full scoop >>

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