Training [Healthcare Compliance Tips]

Conduct appropriate training and educate your entire practice regarding compliance regulations.

In our last tip, we discussed the 7 Elements of an Effective Compliance Program, in which we would like to add the importance of conducting appropriate compliance training and education for all staff.

Just like you have protective measures in place to prevent malpractice suits, the same goes within the non-clinical setting (e.g., coding policies, waiting room policies).

You can no longer tell the government “we didn’t know” because they provide numerous resources to assist you.  Since compliance is comprehensive, the first step is treating it like a class, just like your medical studies.

Remember, all educational programs are tailored to your practice risk areas, and training is specific to specialty and size.  The OIG suggests three steps to set up educational objectives:

• Determine who needs training (both in coding, billing, and general compliance).
• Determine the type of training that suits your practice needs.
• Determine when and how often education is needed and how much each person will receive.

A good educational program should consist of various training types, such as in-person sessions, online courses, distribution of newsletters, or even bulletin boards, which are all great avenues to get the word out about compliance.

The goal is to ensure your employees are informed so that they can perform their job duties in a compliant manner.

**The opinions and observations from the group/author are not a promise to exempt your practice from fines and penalties.  Research, modify, and tailor the advice to fit your specialty.