Now Is the Time to Take a Fresh Look at Your Healthcare Compliance Program

The federal government recently sent a clear message to the healthcare industry: fraud enforcement is expanding, and it means business.

The Justice Department's National Fraud Enforcement Division recently announced the formation of the West Coast Health Care Fraud Strike Force, a multi-district initiative collaborative of federal prosecutors across Arizona, Nevada, and Northern California. This isn't a new concept — it's a proven one. The Health Care Strike Force model has already led to the prosecution of over 6,200 defendants who collectively billed federal health care programs and private insurers more than $45 billion. The Strike Force brings together the HHS OIG, FBI, DEA, and other law enforcement partners.

So, what does this mean for healthcare organizations? Enforcement expansions like this are a timely reminder that an effective compliance program isn't just a regulatory checkbox — it's one of your organization's strongest defenses and a demonstration of your commitment to integrity.

A widely acknowledged goal of enforcement is a healthcare system that works honestly for everyone. Building a culture of compliance helps get us there — and keeps your organization on the right side of that mission.  Companies that invest in proactive compliance are well-positioned to identify and correct issues before they become problems.  Now is the time to review your compliance policies, refresh training, conduct internal audits, and make sure practices align with applicable guidelines.

Want help assessing your compliance program? Reach out to Catapult Healthcare Consulting, LLC— we're here to assist. Contact us here to schedule a no-cost consultation.