The Compliance Help Line
The corporate compliance officer oversees the compliance program, which functions to review and evaluate compliance issues and concerns within the origination.
The Help Line is available to anyone who wants to report a suspected issue or concern. Reports can be made anonymously and Walker Methodist will not permit any form of retaliation against anyone making a report in good faith.
Help Line 612-827-8360
compliance@walkermethodist.org
Walker Methodist is a nonprofit organization that operates in a complex, dynamic, and highly competitive environment. The organization’s business is regulated at both the federal and state level. To assist senior management in its responsibilities relating to operational compliance with applicable legal requirements and sound ethical standards, the organization has established a Compliance Oversight Committee.
Programs: Compliance and HIPAA Risk Assessments and Audits, Compliance Help Line, Code of Conduct and Business Ethics, Breach Investigations, Contract Lifecycle Management, Document Management.
Meetings: The Oversight Committee meets four times each year and at other times as it deems necessary to fulfill it responsibilities. It is required that at least one executive team member attend each meeting. Meeting records are maintained by the Committee Chair.
Functions:
- To develop policies and procedures that define standards for compliance, giving specific guidance to management, clinical and billing staff, and compliance subcommittees as appropriate.
- To maintain awareness of laws and regulations that may affect Walker Methodist.
- To direct efforts to communicate the compliance programs, including written materials and training programs designed specifically to promote understanding of compliance issues, laws and regulations, and consequences of noncompliance.
- To review complaints, concerns, or questions relative to compliance issues, and to provide consultative leadership and support.
- To review and approve audit controls and measurements for internal processes, ensuring that correct processes are in place for accurate, complete, and compliant programs across Walker Methodist.
- To conduct breach investigations and hold all investigatory information, data, and reports collected and/or made in connection with compliance issues in the highest confidence.
- To maintain documentation of Walker Methodist compliance committee activities.
- To monitor emerging issues potentially affecting the reputation of Walker Methodist.
- To prepare an annual performance evaluation of the Committee and the adequacy of its charter.
NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES
Walker Methodist is committed to protecting the privacy and safeguarding the security of your health information. Our Notice of Privacy Practices pertains to our clinically integrated workforce members, other health care providers we work with, and it pertains to uses and disclosures of your protected health information whether made verbally, on paper, electronically, or through a health information exchange operated by Walker Methodist or a business associate. Additionally, it describes how you can obtain access to your information.
PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY
Download Notice of Privacy Practices
(Walker Methodist Notice of Privacy Practices)
HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1996 – HIPAA
HIPAA is federal legislation that was made law by Congress in 1996. With all the advancements in electronic technology, Congress recognized the need for federal privacy protections of individually identifiable health information and therefore has mandated privacy protections.
- The HIPAA Privacy Rule became effective April 14, 2003 and is aimed at safeguarding the privacy of individuals through increased accountability in the areas of privacy and security. The Privacy Rule establishes a foundation for federal protection of the privacy of protected health information.
- The HIPAA Security Rule became effective April 20, 2005 and calls for the protection of PHI in electronic formats.
Compliance with the HIPAA Privacy Rule is required for Walker Methodist communities, services, and offices because they transmit resident health information electronically related to health care claims, payment, or coordination of benefits.
