From the Summer Issue 2018
As they work to stay on top of the myriad changes
occurring in the healthcare environment, hospitals and health systems
face unique legal and regulatory issues that affect their operations and
financial position. Leaders must correctly interpret laws and
regulations and be able to clearly communicate their importance to
staff, physicians, board members, and consumers.
Providers want to use current technology to reach
consumers and provide care where and when patients need it. Telehealth,
e-consults, physician e-visits, patient engagement apps, direct care
delivery apps, mobile devices, social media, and web portals can help
meet those expectations, but these innovative approaches also increase
the potential for breaches in data privacy and security. Safeguards must
be in place to protect health information and data across the continuum
of care because monetary penalties for failure can be substantial.
Fraud and abuse top the list of legal concerns for
healthcare providers as they endeavor to improve operations and care
delivery. Antitrust actions, financial relationships with physicians,
accountable care incentives, kickback considerations, and new
inducements in healthcare reform present possible financial pressures
and exposure to enforcement penalties. It is imperative that healthcare
organizations identify the laws, regulations, and trends that affect
their industry and develop effective policies, procedures, and
strategies to address them.
So how do healthcare organizations stay up to date
with regulatory changes and minimize their risk? What are the most
pressing regulatory and policy concerns? This issue of Frontiers of Health Services Management looks at those questions and provides a variety of informed perspectives from experienced healthcare leaders.
Continue reading this Issue's Editorial here...
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