Compliance Hotline

 

PMA provides a Compliance Hotline Service for our clients to provide a confidential way for employees to obtain information about compliance issues and report instances of suspected non-compliance outside the normal chain of command in a manner that preserves confidentiality and assures non-retaliation. Employees use the hotline when they are not satisfied with their supervisors' response to a compliance issue, or if they fear retaliation by their supervisors for reporting a compliance issue.  The following topics are addressed as part of the hotline service:

 

Examples of activities and operations in which non-compliance may be an issue:

 

• Client safety
• Billing (False Claims)
• Privacy or Security violations
• Conflict of interest and ethics policies
• Computer security
• IRS regulations
• Equal Employment Opportunity laws
• Sexual harassment policies

 

 

The compliance hotline is supervised by professionals. All monitors at PMA are certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC) by the Health Care Compliance Association (HCCA) and Certified Fraud Examiners (CFE) by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

 

Below are some of the key features of the PMA Compliance Hotline service:

 

Confidentiality

 

Employees who call the compliance hotline may remain anonymous. If the person requests anonymity, no attempt will be made by PMA to identify the employee. Information provided by the employee will be treated as confidential and privileged to the extent permitted by applicable law.

 

Employees requesting follow-up are given a code number and are asked to call back in two weeks to receive an update on actions taken to date. Your organization can also utilize this mechanism to communicate additional questions to callers who prefer to remain anonymous.

 

Non-retaliation

 

As part of our agreement, PMA and Clients agree that retaliation against an employee who has called the hotline is strictly prohibited. After placing a hotline call, if an employee perceives that he or she is being retaliated against, the employee will be referred to the appropriate administrative grievance procedure. 

 

Record Retention & Monthly Activity Reports

 

A log is maintained of all hotline telephone calls and e-mails by PMA’s Office of Audit and Regulatory Services. Issues that require your attention are immediately forwarded to your organization’s identified contact.  Monthly reports are sent to you regardless of activity.

 

Resolution

 

All hotline compliance issues should be resolved as quickly as possible. To that end, PMA’s Office of Audit and Regulatory Services will make recommendations to your organization when issues require your attention.

 

Confidential information obtained during the investigation should not be disclosed to the employee.

 

After your organization is satisfied with the resolution of the issue, documents pertaining to the call will not be retained

 

Service Details

 

• PMA establishes a toll-free telephone number and e-mail address for your employees (employees are encouraged to use the phone number.
• 24 Hour Response
• All calls and e-mails are logged and given a unique identification number;
• You will receive a monthly accounting of all calls and/or e-mails;
• If a call/e-mail is received that requires your attention, we will contact the identified person or persons in your organization within 24 hours. We will also make recommendations for follow-up or other procedures and we will track the issue until it is resolved.
• PMA conducts a web-based “training of trainers” regarding general compliance issues, use and purpose of the hotline, the false claims act (Federal and state, if applicable) and whistleblower protections. From the 60-minute “training of trainers” a CD is created for your ongoing use.