In the healthcare industry, OIG exclusion screening is a significant process that ensures patient safety and high-quality treatment. The primary responsibility of this screening process is to prevent the healthcare organization from hiring criminals and dangerous individuals. OIG, or the Office of the Inspector General, maintains a list of individuals and entities that are excluded from participating in any federal healthcare program. These excluded individuals have a history of patient abuse, federal fraud, and are associated with severe criminal activities. OIG screening prevents such individuals from entering and working in your organization.
However, the screening process and the background checks are time-consuming and demand complete accuracy. In this blog, we will explore some critical tips to increase the efficiency of screening and help you save time and money.
Important OIG Screening Tips to Ensure Patient Safety and Legal Compliance
The OIG exclusion screening helps healthcare organizations avoid financial penalties and work with only well-qualified individuals. That is precisely why every healthcare organization should perform the screening process with complete honesty. This will not only reflect on their reputation but also enhance the quality of their services and treatments. However, you can only reap the benefits of the OIG screening when it is done correctly. You can use the following tips to increase the effectiveness of the screening process:
1. Perform the OIG Screening Process Regularly
Exclusion screening is only effective when performed on a regular basis. Experts suggest that every healthcare organization should screen their staff members at least once every month. The primary reason for regular screening is the continuous updates on the OIG’s LEIE(List of Excluded Individuals/Entities). The OIG maintains this list and has the authority to add any individual or entity to it. Therefore, the regular screening process ensures complete accuracy and reduces the chances of disparity.
2. Include Vendors and Service Providers in the Screening
The screening process should also include vendors and service providers. This is because the exclusions list OIG also includes entities, which refer to vendors and other service providers. Vendors in the healthcare industry are third-party service providers that have multiple responsibilities. They provide healthcare organizations with medicines, testing equipment, and other vital services. A vendor or any service provider can impact the healthcare organization’s services. Therefore, screening vendors and healthcare service providers is equally important.
3. Choose Accuracy Over Speed
This will be particularly useful when dealing with an extensive database, especially in cases involving large organizations. The total number of staff members is in thousands, including doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. In such cases, the organization’s priority should be to perform accurate OIG screening. Instead of trying to finish all the screenings in one go, taking time is more beneficial. Doing so ensures that each and every individual working in the organization is safe to work with.
4. Understand the Consequences of Non-compliance
Overlooking the importance of OIG exclusion screening can result in severe legal and financial complications. Therefore, you must understand the serious consequences of not performing an accurate screening process. Hiring or working with an OIG excluded individual, whether knowingly or unknowingly, subjects you to penalties and fines. Depending on the severity of the case, additional consequences may arise. Understanding the consequences of non-compliance will make you more alert towards the screening process.
5. Maintain Proper Documentation
Documentation plays a key role in ensuring the consistency and accuracy of the background checks performed. It enables the organization to conduct compliance checks efficiently and maintain a written record. Having proper documentation of the screening process also helps the organization during legal defence and to avoid liability.
6. Hire a Trusted Platform for the Exclusion Screening Process
Any healthcare organization can perform OIG exclusion screening itself. However, there are two significant constraints in this method. First, it affects the working hours, and second, an accurate screening process requires expert supervision. A logical solution that solves both of these problems is hiring a trusted and reliable compliance screening service provider. Partnering with screening service providers provides you with multiple benefits. It helps in saving your working hours, ensures accurate compliance checks, and saves you from unnecessary expenses.
With Venops, you can get all these benefits and more. The high accuracy of our screening service comes from our years of experience and a team of industrial experts. At Venops, the screening process is supervised by experts from different sectors. We offer a range of exceptional services, including automated screening, vendor screening, and monthly screening.
Impact of Accurate OIG Exclusion Screening on Healthcare Organizations
Now that we know how to increase the efficiency of the screening process, let’s understand its significant impact on healthcare organizations. The positive effect of accurate screening is summarized in the following points:
- Performing accurate checks, first and foremost, allows you to avoid hiring incompetent medical staff. The OIG’s list of excluded individuals and entities also contains the names of individuals who cannot perform their duties professionally. That is precisely why you can be assured that the individuals who cleared the OIG screening know how to perform their professional responsibilities.
- Accurate background checks reduce the disparity and the need for rechecks, helping healthcare providers save money and their precious working hours.
- One of the most significant benefits of performing accurate screening is avoiding financial penalties. As we discussed earlier, hiring excluded individuals can lead to financial penalties and severe fines. Performing accurate screening helps you avoid these fines by screening out the OIG excluded
- Ensuring patient safety is another way in which OIG background checks and screening process impacts the healthcare organization. It helps you in hiring individuals and vendors who do not have a criminal history.
- OIG screening also helps you with verifying the backgrounds of vendors and other service providers. As a result, it reduces the chances of financial fraud and unsatisfactory services. The screening process also provides you with a comprehensive history of the vendors, helping you choose the most suitable one.
Wrapping It Up!
Healthcare organizations are subject to strict laws and regulations governing every aspect, including their services, infrastructure, and employees. Therefore, OIG screening plays a crucial role in ensuring legal compliance on the part of the employee. The screening prevents the healthcare organization from working with excluded individuals and service providers. This proves to be highly beneficial on multiple levels. It helps enhance service quality, avoid legal penalties, and prevent reputational damage. There are various ways to increase the effectiveness of the OIG screening process. Maintaining documentation, screening vendors, conducting regular screenings, and more.
If you need a trusted and reliable compliance service provider, then you are on the right path. Venops has provided custom screening and compliance solutions for years. We are recognized for our commitment to precision, offering a range of services, and providing you with all the benefits at the right price. Partner with us, and we will save you time and money with our automated monthly screening services.
