Compliance: Study These Compliance Basics Before You Run Afoul of the OIG

Why This Topic Matters

Compliance failures can occur even in small or solo practices, and the article explains why routine oversight and documentation are important for reducing risk. It is relevant to practices that want to strengthen internal controls, improve billing oversight, and maintain awareness of regulatory obligations.

Article Sections

1. Compliance risks in practices of all sizes

   Introduces the broad compliance challenges faced by physician practices and explains that size does not eliminate regulatory responsibility.

2. Billing oversight and internal control concerns

   Reviews general concerns involving staff oversight, billing review, and the importance of monitoring practice activity for irregularities.

3. Responding to a discovered compliance problem

   Summarizes broad response steps discussed in the article, including review, documentation, and follow-up measures after an issue is identified.

4. Avoiding future compliance issues

   Covers general preventive measures such as internal audits, physician education, and attention to privacy and regulatory requirements.