Q2 Compliance Corner Resource

Completing Compliance-assigned training helps ensure each employee knows how to do their jobs correctly, but also helps each of us know we can trust each other to know how to do our jobs correctly. We each have our roles to play within our processes, but we should all be knowledgeable about what is expected of us to improve our compliance culture.

Understanding HIPAA

In February, Rehab Medical employees were assigned Understanding HIPAA, a training course designed to provide a better understanding of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. Being educated and staying current with HIPAA policy is the best way to avoid HIPAA violations and keep protected health information (PHI) secure regardless of how it is stored or transmitted.

HIPAA violations occur when a HIPAA-covered entity – or a business associate – fails to comply with one or more of the HIPAA Privacy, Security or Breach Notification Rules. The four categories of penalties are dependent on the intent and effort to correct the violation.

Medicare Fraud and Abuse: Prevent, Detect, Report

In March, Medicare Fraud and Abuse: Prevent, Detect, Report was assigned to all Rehab Medical employees to provide education on preventing, detecting, and reporting Medicare fraud and abuse. The Federal government aggressively investigates potential fraud and abuse, but we all play a role in protecting beneficiaries’ health and welfare by remaining vigilant against those looking to exploit Federal Health care programs.

Medicare fraud and abuse penalties may also include exclusions, which prevents health care providers and suppliers convicted of certain offenses from participating in Federal health care programs like Medicare and Medicaid.

General Compliance Training

Our April training focused on General Compliance Training, which includes the Seven Elements of an Effective Compliance Program.

The Seven Elements of an Effective Compliance Program

1. Written policies and procedures, including Code of Conduct

2. Compliance Officer and Compliance Committee

3. Effective training and education

4. Effective lines of communication

5. Internal monitoring and auditing

6. Disciplinary enforcement

7. Mechanisms for responding to detected problems

Our Code of Conduct states the operational principles and values of Rehab Medical and the compliance expectations for each of us to abide by. Violations may not just breach internal policies and general ethics, but could also break laws, regulations, and contractual guidelines, leading to fines and imprisonment.

Reporting any perceived or suspected compliance violations is everyone’s responsibility and can be reported to your manager, the Compliance Department or anonymously through the Disclosure Helpline.