Practical Considerations In Managing The Cost And Effectiveness Of Corporate Compliance Programs

Co-written By Christopher Myers

Unless their heads have been buried deeply beneath the sand during the past few years, most providers of health care in the United States are well aware that a compliance program is desirable. They have at least a general understanding that a compliance program might benefit them, although they cannot always articulate why. Health care executives and counsel read the papers and trade journals just like the rest of us. They understand that the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Health and Human Services (HHS) have made stamping out health care fraud and abuse one of their top priorities. They understand that government enforcement agencies have targeted virtually every aspect of the health care industry for investigations and criminal and civil fraud prosecutions. They understand that civil fines in excess of one hundred million dollars have become common and that many health care executives have received significant prison terms.