The need for an effective compliance program

Recent healthcare related law, and more importantly, government enforcement activity of the law is increasing at an exponential rate. Many imaging exams are quite expensive and represent a significant portion of claims paid to beneficiaries of Medicare and Medicaid programs. While many large healthcare organizations have well-honed compliance and ethics programs and infrastructures, small to medium sized organizations are especially at risk for ethical misconduct and subsequent sanction by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines for Organizations. Creating of a culture of compliance starts at the highest level of an organization and is disseminated via a well defined executive document and communicated during new hire orientation and continual management through staff meetings and training.