Understanding the Importance of Healthcare Compliance
What does Healthcare Compliance mean?
Healthcare compliance simply means that a healthcare organization abides by all the compliance standards of the federal law. The rules and regulations of the government should be adhered to at all times by any healthcare organizations, both large and small. These rules prohibit the act of fraud, corruption, abuse and unsafe practices.
What should you know about healthcare compliance laws?
There are several laws that regulate the healthcare industry. The list below cites the most important ones: Patient-protection focused laws: a. HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act – HIPAA ensures that private patient information are kept within a healthcare organization and is not shared without the consent of the patient involved b. HITECH Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act – HITECH backs HIPAA as it regulates certain standards that allows IT when implementing and handling health records c. EMTALA Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act – EMTALA ensures that the general public can get emergency treatment regardless of their financial capability to pay Anti-fraud laws: a. Anti-Kickback Statute – Prohibits healthcare institutions and organizations from receiving financial incentives for a patient referral b. FCA False Claims Act – This ACT prohibits filing a false claim for federal program funds
What is the importance of being ‘healthcare compliant’ and why should it matter?
Being healthcare compliance is important for every healthcare organization that operates to serve the public. Healthcare compliance laws ensure that fraud, corruption and deceit is eliminated within the operation. It also act as a protection for every patient’s private information. People that seeks healthcare treatment and assistance should be confident to not only get the best treatment they deserve but also protect their personal records and data. Healthcare compliance also uplifts an organization’s trustworthiness into the public and gives credit to their hardwork. This also gives a positive effect to its employees to stay within the organization or company when they know that it has a clean and credible record. Employee retention is an important factor especially in a healthcare workforce.
What happens if a healthcare organization is non-healthcare compliance?
There could be serious issues that a healthcare ogranization could face if it is noncompliant. One of the main reasons why consequences are so major is because the public health and privacy is involved within the industry. There may be fines and charges that could even come with a damaged reputation leading to public distrust. And because healthcare is such an important factor people will always go for healthcare institutions and organizations that have a clean record. For a healthcare organization to ensure its compliance, it can:
- Set, develop and observe clear policies and compliance plan
- Train every employees about healthcare compliance to make sure obedience and awareness
- Designate compliance officers and leaders to perform audits and checking