Screening employees (both potential and current) against the OIG database is crucial for healthcare organizations. It prevents healthcare organizations from working with individuals or entities that are present on the OIG exclusion list. The reasons for avoiding such excluded individuals are their questionable backgrounds. OIG, or the Office of Inspector General, adds parties to the OIG list who are either involved with federal fraud or other criminal activities. Hiring or working with such individuals exposes the organization to financial risks and reputational damage. Considering these facts and experts’ opinions, every healthcare organization should conduct regular exclusion screening on a monthly basis.
However, as straightforward as it sounds, performing regular OIG screening can be quite challenging and time-consuming. Regular updates in OIG’s list and database are the primary reason behind this. Consequently, you are required to screen your current employees regularly, as well as every new hire. It will cost you a significant amount of your working hours to do so. To avoid all this hassle, you can partner with a third party and outsource screening services. As a result, you will avoid spending unnecessary time and effort in the hiring process. To give you an estimate, at Venops, we have saved over 92,552(and counting) working hours for our clients.
Know the Key Benefits of Outsourcing Exclusion Screening
There are multiple benefits of outsourcing screening and compliance services. You get highly accurate results very quickly, saving a considerable amount of time and effort. Therefore, even the experts recommend outsourcing exclusion screening services. Let’s discuss the benefits in detail.
1. Highly Accurate Results
Accuray is one of the significant requirements in the screening process. It ensures that the time and effort are spent in the right direction. Only with an accurate screening process can you perfectly verify the background of your new and current staff. Therefore, leaving the OIG screening to the professional is your best option for complete verification.
2. Cost-effective Solutions
Hiring a screening and compliance partner is a cost-effective solution for healthcare organizations. It eliminates the need for keeping an in-house team for screening and compliance services. Consequently, you save your organization from extra expenses by hiring a third-party organization for the screening process.
3. Saves Your Working Hours
The screening process should be conducted at least once a month. Imagine the amount of time you will need to spend to screen all your staff members. Additionally, the exclusion screening is not limited to staff members. Vendor screening and verifying your service providers are also a significant part of the screening process. As a result, the complete screening and verification process consumes a lot of time, and the time consumed increases with the organization’s size. That is precisely why partnering with an experienced screening service provider saves a significant amount of your time.
4. Supervision of Experts
Screening services providers have experts who supervise the whole screening process. It helps to reduce the chances of errors and also increases the screening speed and efficiency. Having experts to supervise the OIG screening process is also an indication that the service provider is trusted and reliable.
5. Multiple Services Under One Roof
Depending on the screening service provider, you can get multiple services at the same place. For example, at Venops, we offer a range of services, including staff and vendor screening, automated screening, monthly screening, ad hoc screening, and more. Benefits like these are the primary reason why you should outsource screening services.
Understand the Significance of Exclusion Screening in Healthcare
Now that we know the benefits of outsourcing the screening services, let’s dive deeper into the OIG and exclusion screening. Screening and verifying your staff members is crucial in every organization, regardless of the industry. However, the verification process holds higher importance in the healthcare sector. Exclusion screening against the OIG’s LEIE (List of Excluded Individuals/Entities) not only protects the organization but also saves patients. The screening process helps you avoid individuals and entities associated with illegal activities. They may be involved in financial fraud, patient abuse, or have their license revoked. Working with such individuals can seriously put your patient’s health and well-being at risk.
Complete verification through the screening process saves you from all these risks. Consequently, you will be able to hire well-qualified individuals and service providers for your organization. This will ultimately enable you to deliver high-quality services to your patients. Complete OIG check and screening process also protects your organization from reputational damage. It prevents your name from being associated with vendors and employees who were/are convicted of federal crimes. Therefore, the OIG screening process is a great investment for healthcare providers. It offers them long-term legal and financial benefits.
Avoid Legal Complications and Penalties with Venops Automated Screening
Working with excluded individuals or entities from the OIG’s list can lead to severe legal complications. As we know, OIG excluded parties are involved in fraud or criminal activities. Therefore, the government takes strict action to separate these parties from healthcare organizations. Any healthcare organization that knowingly or unknowingly works with excluded parties is subject to CMPs(Civil Monetary Penalties). The penalty amount varies from $1,000 to $10,000 or more. Additionally, depending on the severity of the case, the organization may incur further fines and charges. Here at Venops, we save our clients from such financial penalties with our accurate screening services.
Venops uses modern software to automate the screening services. That is how we ensure accurate OIG screening within a short timeframe. We have helped our clients and customers avoid legal complications with on-time screening. According to our clients, our screening services have helped them with legal compliance and hiring a well-qualified workforce. Partnering with Venops also offers you multiple benefits, some of which are listed below:
- Vendor screening without any additional cost
- Multiple screening services, including unlimited daily screening, staff and vendor screening, sanction screening, and more
- Our experts supervise the whole screening process, ensuring accuracy
- A support customer care staff who will resolve your doubts and queries
- We also offer correct and transparent pricing
Time to Wrap Up!
For healthcare providers, it is essential to screen and verify individuals and entities before hiring and working with them. Exclusion screening is one of the most vital processes in this verification. The screening process prevents you from working with excluded parties and saves you from the risks that come with it. According to experts, you should perform the screening process at least once a month. In order to save time, money, and effort, you can hire a third-party compliance service provider. Consequently, you will get accurate screening results in the shortest time possible. For highly trusted and precise screening and compliance services. We offer high-quality services at the right price.
