The ideal compliance world: integrating physicians into the compliance program

Compliance officers are in a unique position to provide guidance to physicians and will succeed in gaining physician support and buy-in when appropriate steps are taken to integrate physicians into the compliance program. First and foremost, the compliance officer's primary responsibility is to apprise physicians of the seriousness nature of current compliance issues. When physicians are provided with clear information through a variety of media, they will understand that compliance program goals and objectives will resolve compliance-related issues dilemmas. Next, the compliance officer should expect no less than the ideal compliance world. Recruit physician champions who will actively participate in compliance program planning and development. Call upon medical staff members to get involved in implementation stages of compliance action plans and engage physician leaders to educate and train their physician peers on compliance-related issues. Most importantly, minimize individual physician liability by providing adequate education programs to physicians. Help them to master the art of coding and documentation and to mitigate any prospect of fraud and abuse or compliance-related concerns. Last, collaboration is the key--the compliance officer must provide guidance to the physician so that the physician may continue to fulfill the role of leader and healer. In turn, the physician must recognize that his or her actions and those of the hospital and system are inseparable and that they must actively participate in compliance program initiatives.