First Healthcare Compliance CONNECT January 2020

®
CONNECT
An Exclusive Monthly Publication for Clients
January 2020
Q&A: MIPS Reporting
– The Importance of
Selecting the Right
Reporting Methodology
First Healthcare
Compliance Offers
Comprehensive Exclusion
Screening in 2020
Congratulations to
the Compliance Super
Ninjas of 2019!
1st Talk Compliance:
Eliminating Kickbacks in
Recovery Act (EKRA)
New Training Modules
Client FAQ Corner

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In This Issue:
Client FAQ Corner
First Healthcare Compliance Offers Comprehensive
Exclusion Screening in 2020
Congratulations to the Compliance Super Ninjas of 2019!
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Compliance Super Ninja
Rene’ Comire, CMPE, Practice Manager
Manchester Ob/Gyn Associates
How would you describe your experience with First Healthcare Compliance?
When I was introduced to First Healthcare Compliance I was excited to find that there was a
program out there that could assist me with the challenges our office faces every day with
compliance issues. It was very easy to get started and to continue over the years. It helps
me monitor OSHA, HIPAA and employee compliance. There are also many other features and
resources within the program. I love the training videos that we have available to keep all our
employees in compliance. I have had a great experience right from the beginning.
What do you enjoy most about working with Manchester OB/GYN Associates?
I enjoy all the challenges and benefits that working for an independent OB/GYN office brings. I am
lucky to work at a place that really cares about their patients and their employees.
Would you rather never use social media sites/apps
again or never watch another movie or TV show? Why?
I would rather not use social media if I had to make a choice
between the two. I think we can lose personal connections
with people when we rely on social media as a means of
communication.
Listen to Rene’ on the 1st Talk Compliance Podcast
Q&A: MIPS Reporting – The Importance of Selecting
the Right Reporting Methodology
1st Talk Compliance: Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act (EKRA)
Training Modules
Contact Toll Free: 888-54-FIRST 3

Healthcare Compliance
Symposium 2020
Early Bird
Tickets
Available
Now
April 23, 2020
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Client FAQ Corner
Can a Healthcare Provider Respond to Online Patient Reviews on
Social Media?
Patients can quickly take to social media platforms to post positive or negative comments about their experiences
with a healthcare provider. But, healthcare providers must think twice before responding to such online patient
comments in order to comply with HIPAA. The provider must be careful not to disclose any patient protected
health information (PHI). Without a valid HIPAA authorization from the patient, posting any PHI to a social media
platform is an impermissible disclosure in violation of HIPAA.
The Department of Health and Human Service Office for Civil Rights recently announced a $10,000 settlement
with a dental practice based on it’s response to a negative patient review on Yelp.com that disclosed PHI. For
more information visit https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2019/10/02/dental-practice-pays-10000-settle-socialmedia-disclosures-of-patients-phi.html
Explore the FAQs tab in your compliance solution to
find answers to your compliance questions!
Navigating Workplace Violence
Prevention Under OSHA
Workplace violence is a serious issue, especially in healthcare facilities. In 2013
alone, over 25,000 occupational assault injuries occurred, most of which were
in the health care and social services industries. The Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) responded in 2015 by updating and publishing
their guidelines on how to best prevent workplace violence. The OSHA workplace
violence prevention guidelines help employees and employers alike by providing
the necessary steps to maintain a safe work environment.
DOWNLOAD NOW
Contact Toll Free: 888-54-FIRST 5

Q&A: MIPS Reporting – The Importance of
Selecting the Right Reporting Methodology
By Catherine Short
Sarah Reiter, MIPS expert, Vice President
of Strategic Partnerships with Health
eFilings presented the webinar “How
to Manage the Challenges of MIPS
Reporting” recently and a recording can
now be found on our YouTube Channel.
Sarah returned with this helpful blog on
the importance of the correct reporting
methodology as the year comes to a
close.
2019 MIPS Reporting – The Importance of
Selecting the Right Reporting Methodology
The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA)
was signed into law on April 16, 2015 and is driving the
transition in healthcare from a volume to value-based care
model. CMS programs such as MIPS require providers
to transition to a value-based care model or else face
significant financial risks and even reputational harm. The
stakes have been raised every year and it is even more
complex than it has been in the past, further increasing the
stress, burden and financial risk to providers. For a provider,
it is critical to understand the impact that the reporting
methodology has on one’s MIPS score and to choose the
best methodology and reporting partner.
Within this new framework of the MIPS program all
healthcare practices regardless of size or specialty must
evolve their reporting approach to assure their financial
viability. However, most do not understand, or have
awareness of, the different reporting methods available to
them. Many providers erroneously still think that a registry
is the only reporting option available to them or that they
are required to use a registry. Or, they think that their
EHR covers their reporting obligation. This misperception
and general lack of awareness of the other reporting
methodology is detrimental to the financial interests of any
practice. And, furthermore, for the 2019 Reporting Period
it is likely the first time that traditional, legacy reporting
systems (registry or EHR) may be unable to fulfill enough of
the reporting criteria to avoid the minimum score penalty.
The other reporting methodology, known as a Certified EHR
Technology or CEHRT, has emerged as the superior reporting
methodology. Reporting through a CEHRT dramatically
improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the MIPS
reporting process especially when done using ONC certified
software. Also a CEHRT utilizes eCQMs (electronic Clinical
Quality Measures), which are a better way to optimize the
points that can be earned. When the process utilizes ONC
certified software and is therefore an end-to-end electronic
solution, CMS awards significant bonus points toward the
providers MIPS score.
Health eFilings’, a CEHRT, is an excellent choice for a
reporting partner. The cloud-based ONC certified software
fully automates the process and does all the work with no IT
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esources, administrative support and workflow changes. Health eFilings service is an end to end electronic solution that
will save significant time, be a turn key submission process and maximize the financial upside for providers.
And, finally, an important and timely addendum: While the 2019 reporting period is quickly coming to a close, Health
eFilings can support you with reporting for 2019 so that you will avoid the automatic 7% penalty for not complying. But,
time is of the essence.
Sarah Reiter, MIPS expert, is the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships with
Health eFilings, a MIPS reporting partner. Health eFilings is a national leader in
MIPS compliance and data management. Health eFilings’ proprietary, cloud-based,
ONC certified software is the most effective and efficient reporting methodology as
it automatically extracts, formats, benchmarks and electronically submits quality
measure data to CMS so providers avoid significant penalties and earn maximum
reimbursements. You can reach Sarah at sreiter@healthefilings.com. Be sure to
look up a recording of this webinar on YouTube and be on the lookout for Sarah on
our radio program 1st Talk Compliance early next year. Take a look at our brand-new
book: HIPAA Privacy and Security, and our online compliance training courses such
as Diagnosis Coding – The Cost of One and Done, and MACRA – Medicare Access &
Chip Reauthorization Act of 2015, and other articles on MIPS and MACRA.
The most comprehensive
healthcare compliance course
The Fundamentals is a user-friendly, four-module online course
designed to help healthcare professionals understand the essential
principles and practices of compliance.
Written by our “dream team” of healthcare providers and attorneys,
The Fundamentals course is packed with useful, easy-to-understand
information that covers HIPAA, OSHA, employment law and enforcement
of federal healthcare laws.
The course takes less than four hours to complete, and the modules can
be viewed in any order. A certificate of course completion is provided
following successful completion of the online course and exam.
The Compliance Certification Board (CCB)® has approved this event for up to 4.0 nonlive CCB CEUs.
Continuing Education Units are awarded based on individual attendance records. Granting of prior approval
in no way constitutes endorsement by CCB of this event content or of the event sponsor.
Buy Course Today
Contact Toll Free: 888-54-FIRST 7

First Healthcare Compliance
Offers Comprehensive Exclusion
Screening in 2020
By Julie Sheppard
The Wilmington, Delaware-based
company, founded by a nurse attorney
looking to ease the compliance burden
for her physician spouse, works with
organizations throughout the United
States and will begin offering monthly
exclusion screening for all state lists
and GSA/SAM in 2020.
First Healthcare Compliance, a leader in comprehensive
compliance management software announces a new
capability to help healthcare clients adhere to best
practices and reduce risk. The Wilmington, Delawarebased
company, founded by a nurse attorney looking to
ease the compliance burden for her physician spouse,
works with organizations throughout the United States
and will begin offering monthly exclusion screening for
all state lists and GSA/SAM in 2020. Development of the
compliance management software and online training are
guided by government guidelines and client requests.
vendors is requested often. First Healthcare Compliance
Product Manager, Regina Miller makes it a priority to
converse with clients to learn how they need the system
to expand. The approach is successful as new userfriendly
features continue to be added to reduce risk and
increase efficiencies.
The scalable, cloud-based software serves organizations
of all sizes and provides toll-free support every business
day. Onboarding includes a kickoff call with all clients
and encourages communication via telephone or e-mail
to enable them to receive all of the benefits of the
software. Real-time insight across multiple locations is
often cited as the greatest value to boards and leadership
of larger healthcare organizations. Smaller independent
organizations appreciate the peace of mind achieved
through a single source of education and management
resources.
Primary care practices and all types of specialties depend
on the compliance management solution to manage their
compliance programs and this additional resource for
comprehensive exclusion screening of employees and
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Congratulations to the Compliance
Super Ninjas of 2019!
By Catherine Short
Healthcare Compliance Officers face tough challenges
and play an important role, but often don’t receive
the recognition they deserve. These professionals
carry responsibility for developing, coordinating, and
implementing training programs for all members of the
staff. Additional responsibilities may include various
screenings of employees and vendors, developing and
communicating policies and procedures, assessing and
mitigating areas of risk, and monitoring myriad potential
problems.
At First Healthcare Compliance we appreciate the
opportunity to partner with compliance officers around
the country as they strive for success in compliance
management. Obviously, perfection isn’t a reasonable
goal, but we appreciate those who go above and beyond
by bringing their best efforts to the cause. Our client
services team recognizes one outstanding user of our
compliance management solution each month. According
to our client services manager, Desiree Diaz, “we look for
individuals who are really engaged and working toward
best practices for their organization”.
Compliance Super Ninja’s receive a certificate, a swag
bag, and bragging rights of being featured in our monthly
digital magazine, CONNECT.
Congratulations to the Compliance
Super Ninjas of 2019!
• Arturo Rocha, Center for Sports Medicine and
Orthopaedics
• Melissa Hartig, Austin Retina Associates
• Gina Klepadlo, Thorp Bailey Weber Eye Associates, Ltd.
• Nicole Schumacher, Alexiou Hearing & Sinus Center/
Harrisonburg Dermatology
• Michael Wolf, Total Care Physicians,
• David Doyle, Coronis Health LLC
• Paulette Hunt, Bayside Allergy, P.C.
• Pamela Setufe, Gonzaba Medical Group
• Bryanna Pataky, Northern Physicians Organization
• Wendy Vleck, Asthma & Allergy Associates
• Keila Almanzar, El Paso Pulmonary Association
Contact Toll Free: 888-54-FIRST 9

hosted by Catherine Short
Catherine Short speaks with Elizabeth Sullivan, Esq. and Emily A. Johnson, Esq., Members, of McDonald
Hopkins LLC , about the topic of “Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act (EKRA).” In October 2018, the
Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act (EKRA) was signed into law as part of the larger SUPPORT Act. It is
an important piece of legislation impacting the healthcare industry, as a violation is punishable by a fine of
up to $200,000 and/or imprisonment of up to 10 years for each occurrence. We will discuss a wide range
of topics related to EKRA including an overview and understanding of the Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery
Act, talk about the similarities and differences between EKRA and the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, and
obtain an understanding regarding prohibited compensation structures.
Listen weekdays at
7:30am, 3:30pm, 11:30pm ET
Check out our Show Page!
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Contact Toll Free: 888-54-FIRST 11

New Training Modules Now Available!
Training
Surviving an OCR Audit
Holiday Event Planning & Building an Engaging
Culture
Upholding HIPAA Compliance and Streamlining
Patient Access to Medical Data in Today’s
Digital, Consumer-Driven Environment
Telemedicine - Key Legal and Business Issue
How to Manage the Challenges of MIPS
Reporting
Join us on Social Media!
Contact our Client Services Team with your questions!
888.54.FIRST or clientservices@1sthcc.com
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