HTNYS Board Meets With MIG on Hospital Compliance

The Board of Governors of Healthcare Trustees of New York State (HTNYS) heard remarks this week from James Sheehan, Medicaid Inspector General (MIG), about his office’s focus on the role of health care institution boards in Medicaid compliance. Mr. Sheehan said his office will be looking to enforce hospital compliance with conditions of participation, and ensuring that hospitals are collaborating with oversight agencies and have developed and are abiding by compliance plans.

Mr. Sheehan focused his discussion on how the role of health care governing boards should evolve with a stronger focus on quality and outcomes. Specifically, he mentioned that boards should have an increased role in overseeing compliance in the areas of risk management, utilization review, peer review, and quality improvement. Mr. Sheehan urged boards to be attentive to warning signals that might indicate compliance issues.

HANYS and HTNYS have been at the forefront of efforts to stimulate greater board accountability and improvement of corporate compliance. HTNYS’ Board urged Mr. Sheehan to improve his office’s understanding of hospital organization and operations so that it can provide helpful guidance in promoting ethical behavior. Mr. Sheehan expressed his willingness to work with trustees across the state on collaborative educational efforts. - Sue Ellen Wagner