Tag archives: compliance

The Joint Commission releases sentinel events for 2018

By Yvonne Puig (US) and Jeff Wurzburg (US) on March 14, 2019 Posted in Regulatory

On March 13, 2019, The Joint Commission released Sentinel Event statistics for 2018. There were 801 sentinel events in 2018, with 87% being voluntarily self-reported. According to the Joint Commission, it is estimated that less than 2 percent of all sentinel events are reported. The Joint Commission defines a sentinel event as: Any unexpected occurrence … Continue reading

CMS further crystalizes Stark liberalizations

By Joseph Keillor (US) and Debbi Johnstone (US) on August 21, 2018 Posted in Regulatory

On July 12, 2018, CMS included within the CY 2019 Physician Fee Schedule (the “Proposed Rule”) two revisions to Stark Law regulations aimed at further clarifying any actual or perceived differences between current regulations and the recently enacted Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (“2018 BBA”). As we previously reported, Section 50404 of the 2018 BBA … Continue reading

CMS releases 2017 Open Payments data

By Benjamin Wallfisch (US) and Frances Morgan (US) on July 10, 2018 Posted in Transparency

The US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released Open Payments data reflecting payments and transfers of value paid by drug and device manufacturers to physicians and teaching hospitals.… Continue reading

OIG launches new compliance resource portal

By on April 30, 2018 Posted in News from DC

The OIG recently launched a new compliance resource portal, compiling some of its resources into one user-friendly webpage. The Compliance Resource Portal provides a list of links to categories of “handy resources for the public that can help ensure that you are in compliance with Federal health care laws,” and may serve as a valuable … Continue reading

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposes policies and updates to Medicare Advantage and Part D programs for 2019

By Jeff Wurzburg (US) on February 6, 2018 Posted in Regulatory

On February 1, 2018, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed changes to the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs through the Advance Notice and Draft Call Letter (Advance Notice) for calendar year 2019. As required by section 1853(b) of the Social Security Act, CMS publishes annually the Advance Notice at least 60 … Continue reading

Government panelists speak on Medicare overpayments final rule

By on April 1, 2016 Posted in News from DC, Regulatory

At the DC Bar program “The Medicare Overpayments Final Rule: Government Perspectives and Compliance Considerations” (Mar. 29, 2016), a panel of speakers from the OIG, CMS, and private practice discussed perspectives on the final rule’s guidance about the return of identified Medicare Part A and B overpayments within 60 days, implications of the final rule … Continue reading

Health Ethics Trust – call for submission for best compliance practices

By on August 11, 2015 Posted in Regulatory

Please consider submitting your organization’s compliance practices for recognition at this year’s Healthcare Best Compliance Practices Forum. The Health Ethics Trust’s Best Practices process assigns evaluation of submitted practices to independent panels of compliance professionals. The Health Ethics Trust has recognized 164 practices as Best Practices. We invite our clients to submit their own practices … Continue reading