IMA Press Room

Insights

Healthcare Reform Should Cause You to Review Your Compliance Program
September 2010 - Bret S. Bissey, FACHE, MBA, CHC, Director
This issue of IMA Insights presents compliance program considerations for Hospital Executives in reaction to the impact of the recently enacted healthcare reform legislation. While some aspects of the act remain unclear, the provisions related to increased fraud and abuse initiatives included within the Patient Affordable Care Act (PACA) including several changes to the federal False Claims Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute and the requirements associated with timely repayments of overpayments are clear and require the attention of hospital executives and board members to make sure their compliance programs are functioning as necessary.

Beginning in 1998, hospitals received guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services regarding how to develop and manage their compliance program. Additional provider types have received similar guidance specifi c to their industry. The opportunity to utilize the Office of Inspector General’s Model Hospital Program Compliance (first published in 1998 with a supplemental document published in 2005) as a pro-active resource/planning tool to prepare for these new governmental initiatives is a very prudent step. A refresher on the elements of the OIG Model Compliance Program Guidance for Hospitals (“CPG”) is a must-read at this time.

Read More.

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In the News

September, 2010 Ron Camejo, Director, was quoted in Healthcare Finance News in an article titled, "Revenue cycle pipeline requires constant maintenance".

September, 2010 Bob Gift, Director, was quoted in Becker's Hospital Review in an article titled, "3 Considerations for Hospitals Acquiring Practices".

August, 2010 Mary Ann Holt, Partner, was quoted in HealthLeaders in an article titled, "Set Up to Succeed".

August, 2010 Bret S. Bissey, Director, authored the article, USC Football Shame: Lessons About RACs and Compliance, on RACMonitor.com.

July, 2010 Bret S. Bissey, Director, authored the article, Healthcare Reform, Your Compliance Program and RAC, on RACMonitor.com.

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Press Releases

September 1, 2010 Bob De Luca Named Managing Partner of IMA Consulting IMA Consulting, one of the largest independent healthcare management consulting firms in the nation, has named Bob De Luca to the role of Managing Partner effective September 1, 2010. De Luca succeeds Rob Sutton, a founding partner of IMA Consulting who has retired.

August 16, 2010 Rob Sutton, Founding Partner, Retires from IMA Consulting IMA Consulting has announced the retirement of Robert Sutton, founding Partner of IMA Consulting effective September 1, 2010. Rob started IMA Consulting in 1996 with Bill Weeks, who retired in 2007. IMA Consulting has grown from a team of two to one of the largest privately-held healthcare provider consulting firms in the country.

February, 2010 IMA Consulting Announces Expansion in Midwest IMA Consulting has announced the expansion of their Medicare Reimbursement, Revenue Cycle, and Hospital Operations Improvement services in the Midwest by opening an office in Grand Rapids, MI.

June 10, 2009 IMA Consulting appointed Michael Tedesco as Chief Financial Officer IMA Consulting has named Michael Tedesco to the position of Chief Financial Officer.  Tedesco has over 19 years of healthcare finance experience and will be responsible for IMA Consulting's Accounting, Human Resources, and Information Technology.

May 13, 2009 Paul G. Soper Joins IMA Consulting Team IMA Consulting has named Paul Soper to the position of Partner, bringing over 24 years of experience to the national regulatory compliance practice. Soper has a very strong background in an array of Medicare cost report related areas as well as knowledge of the revenue cycle and expense management for hospitals.

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Events

Michigan Alliance of Healthcare Access Professionals - 2010 Annual Fall Education Conference Claudia Birkenshaw will speak on "Reducing Denials Through Collaboration." October 6-8, 2010 Comfort Inn - Mt. Pleasant, MI Click here for more information.

Metro Philly HFMA Webinar Bret S. Bissey will speak on on the topic "Healthcare Reforms Impact on Compliance Programs". This session will offer an overview of some of the new compliance challenges that providers face and discuss potential opportunities to establish a compliance program which functions to protect your institution from these increasing regulatory risks. October 19, 2010 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. EST Click here to register.

Metro Philly/NJ HFMA 2010 Annual Institute Bret S. Bissey will speak on Audit & Compliance in a session titled, "The Feds Are Here – Now What??” Your Organization has received a Federal Warrant or Subpoena issued by the Department of Health and Human Services Officer of Inspector General, what are the proper reactionary activities to take.  October 21, 2010 Atlantic City, NJ Click here for more information.

HFMA's MAP Event - Leading for Revenue Cycle Excellence Pre-Conference Claudia Birkenshaw will speak on "Creating an Effective Revenue Cycle Staff Training Initiative (PCS1)". November 7, 2010 Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa San Diego, CA Click here for more information.

Central Valley California Medical Group Management Association Bret S. Bissey will speak at this event as part of the Regulatory Compliance Panel. November 16, 2010 12 - 1:30 p.m. Appetez Cafe, 825 Roseburg Ave., Modesto, CA More information to come.

Northern California Medical Group Management Association Bret S. Bissey will speak at this event as part of the Regulatory Compliance Panel. November 18, 2010 12 - 1:30 p.m. SMCMA auditorium, 777 Mariners Island Blvd., San Mateo, CA More information to come.