The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has started a second phase of audits for compliance with HIPAA Privacy, Security and Breach Notification Standards. The OCR has previously conducted an audit pilot phase and Phase 1 audits of HIPAA covered entities (i.e., healthcare providers, clearinghouses, and health plans). In this Phase 2 of the HIPAA audits, OCR will audit both covered entities and their business associates. Continue reading
OIG Releases Updated Guidance on IRO Independence and Objectivity for Performing Corporate Integrity Agreement Reviews
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) released today, August 24, 2016, an updated guidance on the OIG’s views on the applicable independence and objectivity standards for Independent Review Organizations (IROs) that perform reviews required under Corporate Integrity Agreements (CIAs), such as claims reviews and cost report reviews. The OIG has previously issued guidance in 2004 and 2010 to reflect updated standards and the additional types of IRO reviews included in CIAs. This OIG guidance released today is to reflect the 2011 revisions to the GAO accounting standards. Continue reading
Anesthesia Group Settles Kickback Allegations to Obtain Exclusive Agreements With Ambulatory Surgery Centers
On August 5, 2016, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia announced a civil settlement in which Sweet Dreams Anesthesia, a partnership of certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), paid over $1,015,000 to resolve allegations that Sweet Dreams paid kickbacks to ambulatory surgery centers to induce Medicare and Medicaid patients by providing free anesthesia drugs and through other financial transactions. Continue reading
South Carolina Hospital to Pay $17 Million to Resolve False Claims Act and Stark Law Allegations
On July 28, 2016, the U.S. Department of Justice announced, “The Lexington County Health Services District Inc. d/b/a Lexington Medical Center located in West Columbia, South Carolina, has agreed to pay $17 million to resolve allegations that it violated the Physician Self-Referral Law (the Stark Law) and the False Claims Act by maintaining improper financial arrangements with 28 physicians.”
According to the government press release, “The United States alleged that Lexington Medical Center entered into asset purchase agreements for the acquisition of physician practices or employment agreements with 28 physicians that violated the Stark Law because they took into account the volume or value of physician referrals, were not commercially reasonable or provided compensation in excess of fair market value.
Also as part of the settlement, Lexington Medical Center will enter into a Corporate Integrity Agreement (CIA) with the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of the Inspector General (HHS-OIG) that requires Lexington Medical Center to implement measures designed to avoid or promptly detect future conduct similar to that which gave rise to this settlement.
Written by: Clay J. Countryman
OIG Corporate Integrity Agreements and Physician Compliance Programs
In settling allegations of violating the False Claims Act (FCA), healthcare providers often enter into a Corporate Integrity Agreement with the OIG in exchange for the OIG’s agreement not to exclude the provider from participation in Medicare or other federal health care programs. Corporate Integrity Agreements (CIAs) generally require a provider to establish or supplement an existing compliance program, with detailed requirements described in the CIA. Continue reading
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