The importance of ASC Compliance programs

Despite the complex regulatory environment that healthcare institutions must navigate, establishing a safe and effective compliance program may help reduce risk, according to a Coronis Health blog article from January 17.

Two publications of compliance plan guidelines for medical practices—one from the HHS Office of Inspector General in 1998 and a supplement from 2005—have been made available.

But Coronis notes in the blog post that ASCs ought to have internal risk plans of their own. The identification of hazards is the first step in a compliance strategy.

ASCs ought to have a compliance officer on staff who can spot problems with coding, service documentation, billing, and other areas where there is a genuine chance of breaking federal standards.

As per the post, it is recommended to identify, record, and distribute risk areas to relevant staff through training. Additionally, procedures should be created to mitigate identified risks.

According to the blog post, the Justice Department introduced new rules in 2022 that “put more teeth” into the punishment of noncompliant activity by American firms. These guidelines are known as the Monaco guidelines.

It is now possible for an ASC’s CEO, CFO, and lower-level employees to be held accountable for breaking OIG compliance rules.

The Justice Department’s penalty assessment will take into account a person’s past misbehavior as well; previous transgressions by the same people or establishments will be given particular consideration.

The agency will also take into consideration an ASC’s track record of response to inappropriate behavior among its personnel. It will be more important for ASCs to ensure that any compliance plan contains significant consequences for employees who engage in noncompliant behavior and that these rules are clearly communicated.