The Healthcare Compliance Pod

📚 Back-to-school season means it’s time for a HIPAA refresher! This August,  The Healthcare Compliance Pod  is focusing on  patient rights  under HIPAA. Host @ Susan Freed  explains: 💡What PHI amendments mean under HIPAA 📬How to respond to amendment requests 🛠 Where to find a sample policy & forms Visit TheHealthcareCompliancePod.com for more info and free...

📚 In the spirit of back-to-school season, in Ep. 73 of  The Healthcare Compliance Pod , attorney Susan Freed kicks off a  Back to Basics  series with a deep dive into one of HIPAA’s most used rights:  the patient’s right of access . ✔️ Practical tips 📄 Free sample policy 🎙️ Compliance insights Visit TheHealthcareCompliancePod.com for more info and free res...

🎙 Encore Episode – Three Mistakes CEOs Should Avoid In this encore episode from  The Healthcare Compliance Pod , we shift the focus from compliance professionals to CEOs and executive leaders. Top 3 mistakes that can undermine your compliance program: 1️⃣ Failing to clearly define your Compliance Officer’s role 2️⃣ Having the CEO (not the Compliance Officer) deliver board updat...

With changes to Medicaid eligibility on the horizon, attorney Susan Freed explains why it’s essential to revisit your good faith estimate process now. This episode covers: 📋 Which patients should receive a Good Faith Estimate  ⏱️ When to send it ⚖️ How to stay compliant Visit TheHealthcareCompliancePod.com for more info and free resources.

“ Use caution before charging patients extra fees.”  Attorney Susan Freed unpacks how even small admin fees can lead to big compliance risks. Medicare, Medicaid, and insurers may prohibit charges for covered services. ✅ Confirm services aren’t covered ✅ Get patient consent ✅ Follow state laws ✅ Consult legal counsel Bottom line:  Extra fees can mean serious legal...

On this episode of  The Healthcare Compliance Pod , we cover how to meet Section 1557 requirements and why language assistance is essential to patient safety and equity. ✅ Assess needs ✅ Use qualified interpreters ✅ Translate key docs ✅ Train staff ✅ Share required notices Visit TheHealthcareCompliancePod.com for more info and free resources.

🎧 New Episode (Replay):  Before You Audit—Why Pre-Audit Planning Matters Whether proactive or reactive, every healthcare audit should start with a solid plan. In this week’s podcast replay, we break down what every compliance leader needs to consider  before  launching an audit—including scope, privilege, sampling strategy, and choosing the right auditor. 🎙️ Thoughtful pl...

Episode 67:  Integrating Quality & Safety into Your Compliance Program (Replay  of Ep. 18) One of the Office of Inspector General’s top recommendations? Align your compliance program with quality and safety oversight. But in organizations where these functions operate in silos, that’s easier said than done. This episode breaks down: ✔️ Why integration can be challenging ✔️&...

🚨  Mid-Year Compliance Alert  🚨 As we reach the midpoint of 2025, shifting federal enforcement priorities are reshaping compliance risk for healthcare organizations. Our latest article outlines  three emerging focus areas  every compliance officer should add to their work plan: 1️⃣ DEI programs & False Claims Act exposure 2️⃣ Scrutiny of gender-affirming care 3️...

In Episode 65 of  The Healthcare Compliance Pod , attorney Susan Freed is joined by the founder and principal of The Best Practice, Stu Schaff. They discuss why over-relying on physician compensation benchmarks is a mistake organizations can’t afford to make. Visit TheHealthcareCompliancePod.com for more info and free resources.

Whistleblower risks are on the rise—don't let silence cost you!   Last year, we saw record qui tam claims under the False Claims Act. In Episode 64 of The Healthcare Compliance Pod, attorney Susan Freed shares 3 key strategies to mitigate these risks. Visit TheHealthcareCompliancePod.com for more info and free resources.

Lavish dinners. Paid speaking gigs. Questionable "educational" events. One pharmaceutical company just paid a steep price for crossing the line— $202 million  for alleged anti-kickback violations. ✅ What does this mean for your practice, hospital, or organization? ✅ How can you engage with vendors  without triggering legal exposure ? Explore the key takeaways, red flags, and...

This week, Susan looks back to one of her favorite episodes from last year in this special “encore episode.” Learn why leading with trust makes all the difference for compliance officers. When people see you as a resource and not an enforcer, they’re more likely to come forward with questions and concerns. Find more info on the companion blog: thehealthcarecompliancepod.com

In a recent False Claims Act case, a long-term care pharmacy and consulting services provider was held liable for submitting fraudulent claims to the government, culminating in a jury verdict awarding over $135 million in damages. In Episode 61 of  The Healthcare Compliance Pod , attorney Susan Freed explores the key lessons and significant takeaways from the allegations and proceed...

In episode 60 of The Healthcare Compliance Pod, attorney  Susan Freed  discusses why the recent updates to the SAFER Guidelines (Safety Assurance Factors for EHR Resilience) are essential for helping you assess the potential safety issues posed by your organization’s Electronic Health Records (EHR). Visit thehealthcarecompliancepod.com for more info and free resources.

Cash-based practices, or providers who neither participate with nor bill insurers, are becoming increasingly common. In Episode 59 of The Healthcare Compliance Pod, attorney  Susan Freed  walks you through the three types of Medicare providers, with particular emphasis on non-participating and opt-out providers and the requirements applicable to each. Visit thehealthcarecompliancepo...

In Episode 58 of The Healthcare Compliance Pod, attorney  Susan Freed  discusses steps small providers can take to address potential discrimination in patient care decision support tools and meet the requirements of Section 1557 regulations, which become effective May 1, 2025.  Visit thehealthcarecompliancepod.com for more info and free resources.

Drug diversion and misuse of prescribed medication can pose serious risks to patients, employees, and organizations. In Episode 57 of The Healthcare Compliance Pod, attorney  Susan Freed  stresses the importance of drug diversion prevention policies and how to create a robust organization-wide program. Visit thehealthcarecompliancepod.com for more info and free resources.

Delegated credentialing for telehealth providers can save hospitals significant time and resources. However, if it is not implemented correctly, it can also create compliance issues. In episode 56 of The Healthcare Compliance Pod, attorney  Susan Freed  discusses common compliance issues and provides a free resource to reduce compliance risks. Visit thehealthcarecompliancepod.com for mor...

Compliance training is one of the most important responsibilities of a compliance officer. A provider’s best defense to non-compliance is well-trained employees who understand and follow your policies. In Episode 55 of The Healthcare Compliance Pod, attorney Susan Freed explains how you can help ensure employees follow your policies. Visit thehealthcarecompliancepod.com for more info and free reso...

In episode 54 of The Healthcare Compliance Pod, attorney Susan Freed covers the second and third of three common situations that arise in the treatment of minors (Part 1 is in Episode 53). Reminder - you can also find our free resources, including a checklist to help revise your policies. Visit thehealthcarecompliancepod.com for more info and free resources.

Episode 53 of The Healthcare Compliance Pod attorney Susan Freed covers the first of three common scenarios that arise in the treatment of minors. She discusses key considerations for crafting a comprehensive policy that aligns with both federal and state laws—plus, this week’s free resource includes a checklist to help revise your policy. Visit thehealthcarecompliancepod.com for more info and fre...

According to President Trump’s recent Executive Order on hospital price transparency, federal agencies have 90 days to act. Attorney Susan Freed lays out what exactly needs to be done in Episode 52 of The Healthcare Compliance Pod. Visit thehealthcarecompliancepod.com for more info and free resources.

Is your Compliance Committee as effective as it could be? A well-structured agenda is the key to ensuring your committee stays focused and fulfills its purpose. From risk assessments to training reviews, every agenda item should tie back to compliance goals. This week on The Healthcare Compliance Pod, Susan Freed breaks down how to build smart compliance committee agendas that drive real results....

In January, the Department of Justice released its annual fraud statistics, revealing over $2.9 billion in healthcare fraud settlements and 979 qui tam lawsuits—the highest number ever filed by whistleblowers in a single year. Many enforcement actions involved unlawful kickbacks and Stark Law violations related to physician compensation. This week on The Healthcare Compliance Pod, Susan Freed brea...