Designing compliance programs that foster ethical behavior
Lovitky, J.A.; Ahern, J.
Healthcare Financial Management Journal of the Healthcare Financial Management Association 53(3): 38 40-2
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0735-0732 PMID: 10351054 Document Number: 499202
The federal government continues to expand its initiatives to uncover healthcare fraud, waste, and abuse. It is therefore more important than ever that healthcare organizations have an effective compliance program in place. The organization should have a compliance officer with adequate authority and staff to carry out the compliance program's functions. The program should include an ethics code, an internal hotline that employees can use to report compliance concerns, and education and training for all employees. In addition, the program should be audited periodically to ensure its viability. To be successful, a compliance program also needs the support of the healthcare organization's senior management.