1st Talk Compliance features guest Lauren Moak Russell, Counsel at Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, LLP in Wilmington, Delaware, on the topic of “A Harassment-Free Workplace vs the Right to Engage in Concerted Activity.” Lauren joins our host Catherine Short to discuss how the National Labor Relations Board under the Biden Administration has expressed a renewed interest in expanding its influence into non-unionized work forces. This includes reviewing and–in the right circumstances challenging–employers’ use of workplace civility, confidentiality, and anti-harassment policies. Listen as we discuss what you need to know to safely navigate the National Labor Relations Act while ensuring that your employees enjoy a safe and respectful work environment.
A Practical Approach to The Safe Harbor Law
1st Talk Compliance features guest Raymond Ribble, CEO and Founder at SPHER, Inc., on the topic of A Practical Approach to The Safe Harbor Law. Ray joins our host Catherine Short to discuss how HIPAA data breach penalties typically get measured in millions of dollars, even following an organization implementing NIST cybersecurity framework measures. However, with the new HIPAA Safe Harbor Law, signed in January 2021, HHS and OCR may consider some penalty mitigation. It is important to understand that the Safe Harbor Law, while offering substantial protection, does not provide a true safe harbor and only offers some protection. This episode will examine what the established security practices for healthcare are, and how to pivot your organization’s security profile to mitigate breach penalties if an event occurs.
DMEPOS – In Compliance with CMS
1st Talk Compliance features guest Rachel V. Rose, JD, MBA, principal with Rachel V. Rose – Attorney at Law, P.L.L.C., on the topic “DMEPOS – In Compliance with CMS.” Rachel joins our host Catherine Short to discuss special payment rules associated with durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies. DMEPOS products must meet quality standards, suppliers need to be accepted by Medicare to participate, similar to providers, and are subject to fraud, waste, and abuse laws. This episode will provide an overview of participation and quality requirements, relay the latest compliance and requirements updates, and discuss the consequences of non-compliance, as well as submitting false and fraudulent claims.
Employee Snooping & Insider Threats
1st Talk Compliance features guest Raymond Ribble, CEO and Founder at SPHER, Inc., on the topic of “Employee Snooping & Insider Threats.” Ray joins our host Catherine Short to discuss snooping and insider threats and why user monitoring and ePHI access strategies are vital to the security of sensitive patient information and data protection. With so much attention and money surrounding cybersecurity in the healthcare industry, malicious employees may decide to purposefully disclose patient information. Since employees and contractors may have knowledge of your network setup, vulnerabilities, and access codes, snooping employees with malicious intent hold the key to exposing your organization to a series of unwanted risks and threats. Listen as we identify signs of unauthorized access, provide guidelines to prevent snooping, and offer procedures to detect insider threats.
DMEPOS – CMS Compliance and Requirements Updates: Audio Version of the Webinar
Rachel V. Rose, JD, MBA, principal with Rachel V. Rose – Attorney at Law, P.L.L.C., Houston, TX presents this very timely subject for us. Durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) includes an “entity or individual, including a physician or a Part A provider, which sells or rents Part B covered items to Medicare beneficiaries.” There are special payment rules associated with DMEPOS. DMEPOS products have to meet quality standards, DMEPOS suppliers need to be accepted by Medicare to participate (similar to providers), and are subject to fraud, waste, and abuse laws. The purpose of this webinar to provide an overview of participation and quality requirements, relay the latest compliance and requirements updates, and address False Claims Act cases involving DMEPOS companies.
Fraud, Healthcare, COVID-19 and the False Claims Act
Catherine Short speaks with Shauna Itri, Partner at Seeger Weiss LLP on the topic of “Fraud, Healthcare, COVID-19 and the False Claims Act.” A whistleblower or qui tam action can provide financial rewards to individuals who have information that a company/individual has committed fraud. The primary statutes under which this relief may be sought are the federal and state False Claims Acts (“FCAs”). In addition to the FCAs, there are other statutes which apply to tax fraud, securities fraud, and in California, fraud on private insurance companies. This episode will provide an overview of the False Claims Acts, the knowledge and skills to be able to recognize a potential whistleblower case, and understand the unique procedures utilized in filing whistleblower cases/tips. We will also delve into recent trends in cases brought (or that could be brought) under the False Claims Act including cases involving mined data and potential fraud related to COVID-19.
Medical Error, CANDOR/candor, and Patient Advocacy
First Healthcare Compliance hosts Kathleen W. McNicholas, MD, JD, CHC, CCEP, Consultant and Patient Advocate with Medical Legal Patient Advocacy Inc., for an interactive discussion on “Medical Error, CANDOR/candor, and Patient Advocacy.” Dr. McNicholas will review medical error and provide an approach to harmed patients. The CANDOR program of Communication and Optimal Resolution will be explained. CANDOR is well established and has been successfully adopted by many medical centers. With CANDOR in place, patients may benefit from the use of the principles and the help of a board-certified patient advocate.
Building an Engaging Company Culture & Avoiding HR Minefields at Work-Related Events
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