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BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF MINNESOTA AND BLUE PLUS MEDICARE TRAINING General Compliance

BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF MINNESOTA AND BLUE PLUS MEDICARE TRAINING General Compliance. Training for First Tier, Downstream and Related Entities (FDRs ) and Providers Fall 2013 Approved 8/8/13. Training Outline. Introduction Part 1: Compliance

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BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF MINNESOTA AND BLUE PLUS MEDICARE TRAINING General Compliance

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  1. BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF MINNESOTA AND BLUE PLUS MEDICARE TRAINING General Compliance Training for First Tier, Downstream and Related Entities (FDRs) and Providers Fall 2013 Approved 8/8/13

  2. Training Outline. • Introduction • Part 1: Compliance • Part 2: Laws that Govern Conduct in the Medicare Program • Part 3: Examples of Noncompliance • Part 4: How do I Report Noncompliance • Part 5: Compliance Knowledge Test • Acknowledgement • Resources

  3. FRAUD, WASTE AND ABUSE (FWA) TRAINING. EXCEPTION NOTICE. In addition to compliance training, a provider/FDR can be required to take FWA training Regulations effective June 7, 2010 implemented a “deeming” exception that exempts providers enrolled/participating in Medicare Parts A or B from annual FWA training and education Therefore, if a provider is enrolled/participating in Medicare Parts A or B, the FWA training and education requirement has already been satisfied. However, all providers are still required to meet the compliance training requirement This Compliance Training is provided for those providers who are exempt from the FWA training but need to complete compliance training

  4. LEARNING OBJECTIVES.

  5. INTRODUCTION. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is the federal agency that oversees the Medicare and Medicaid programs. CMS contracts with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota*, Blue Plus*and other health plans to offer: • Medicare Advantage (MA) or Medicare Advantage-Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plans (also known as Part C plans) • Prescription Drug Plans, or “Part D” Plans (PDP) (also known as Part D plans) • 1876 Cost Plans, with or without Part D coverage (Cost or Cost-PD) (also sometimes referred to as Part C plans) CMS refers to health plans offering these types of plans as “plan sponsors” • “Blue Cross” used throughout refers to BCBSM, Inc. d/b/a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. • “Blue Plus” used throughout refers to HMO Minnesota d/b/a Blue Plus, a licensed HMO and an affiliate of Blue Cross. MA MA-PD PDP COST 5

  6. CONTRACTING WITH CMS FOR MEDICARE. • CMS requires plan sponsors to provide Fraud, Waste and Abuse (FWA) and Compliance training to all FDRs* • FDR staff involved with the administration or delivery of MA, MA-PD, PDP and Cost plans are required to complete training • Training must occur within 90 days of contracting with the plan sponsor and annually thereafter • Likewise, FDRs must train new employees within 90 days of hire and annually thereafter (42 C.F.R. §422.503 and 42 C.F.R. §423.504) *FDRs are described on the next slide and CMS’ definitions of FDRs are provided at the end of this training 6

  7. FIRST TIER, DOWNSTREAM AND RELATED ENTITIES (FDRs). Sample Plan Sponsor & FDR Structure • Plan sponsors contract with FDRs to provide health, prescription drug or administrative services to enrollees on behalf of the plan sponsor • You are receiving this training because you are a FDR staff 7

  8. WHY DO I NEED TRAINING? Every year MILLIONS of dollars are improperly spent becauseof fraud, waste and abuse. It affects everyone. IncludingYOU. This training will help you detect, correct and prevent noncompliance. YOUare part of the solution.

  9. WHERE DO I FIT IN? As a person who provides health or administrative services to a MA, MA-PD, Cost or PDP enrollee you are either a: • MA, MA-PD, Cost or PDP plan sponsor staff • First Tier Entity • Examples: Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM), a Claims Processing Company, contracted Sales Agent • Downstream Entity • Example: Pharmacy • Related Entity • Example: Entity that has a common ownership or control of a MA, MA-PD, Cost or PDP plan sponsor

  10. PART 1: COMPLIANCE.

  11. Compliance is EVERYONE’Sresponsibility. As an individual who provides health care or administrative services for Medicare beneficiaries, every action you take potentially affects Medicare beneficiaries, the Medicare program or the Medicare trust fund. WHY DO I NEED TRAINING?

  12. TRAINING OBJECTIVES.

  13. WHERE DO I FIT IN THE MEDICARE PROGRAM? 13

  14. WHY IMPLEMENT A COMPLIANCE PROGRAM? • CMS requires MA, MA-PD, PDP and Cost Plan Sponsors to implement an effective compliance program. • An effective compliance program should: 14

  15. COMPLIANCE. A culture of compliance within an organization:

  16. COMPLIANCE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. CMS requires that each plan sponsor have a comprehensive compliance program A compliance program is a series of internal controls and measures to ensure that the plan sponsor is following state and federal laws, including regulations that govern the program Many functions may be delegated to a FDR; however, a plan sponsor cannot delegate compliance While a FDR may perform compliance related activities as part of its contract with the plan sponsor, the plan sponsor maintains ultimate responsibility for the compliance program In this training, you will learn more about what Blue Cross and Blue Plus are doing to fulfill the compliance requirements and what your obligations are as a FDR 16

  17. COMPLIANCE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS. At a minimum, a compliance program must include the following 7 elements, and must incorporate measures to detect, prevent and correct fraud, waste and abuse: • Written Policies, Procedures and Standards of Conduct • Compliance Officer, Compliance Committee and High Level Oversight • Effective Training and Education • Effective Lines of Communication • Well-Publicized Disciplinary Standards • Effective System for Routine Monitoring, Auditing and Identification of Compliance Risks • Procedures and System for Prompt Response to Compliance Issues 42 C.F.R. §§ 422.503(b)(4)(vi) and 423.504(b)(4)(vi); Internet-Only Manual (“IOM”), Pub. 100-16, Medicare Managed Care Manual Chapter 21; IOM, Pub. 100-18, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Manual Chapter 9 17

  18. THE SEVEN ELEMENTS. ELEMENT 1. Written Policies, Procedures and Standards of Conduct Blue Cross and Blue Plus have written P&Ps and standards of conduct to demonstrate how they comply with all applicable standards. They require their FDRs to do the same P&Ps must reflect current requirements and must be revised whenever there are changes or updates to regulations, or at least annually, whichever comes first What you can do: Ensure that you follow applicable P&Ps and standards of conduct Ensure that your organization’s P&Ps are consistent with Blue Cross’ and Blue Plus’ P&Ps, kept up-to-date, and used in day-to-day activities 18

  19. THE SEVEN ELEMENTS.ELEMENT 2. Compliance Officer, Compliance Committee and High Level Oversight Blue Cross and Blue Plus have designated Compliance Officers and Board Committees that oversee compliance with Medicare program and other requirements What you can do: Your organization may also have a designated Compliance Officer and Compliance Committee 19

  20. THE SEVEN ELEMENTS.ELEMENT 3. Effective Training and Education Training and education requirements must be applied to all plan sponsor employees and FDRs which provide benefits or services for the MA, MA-PD, Cost and PDP plans CMS may ask plan sponsors to produce proof (e.g., attestations, training logs) that FDRs and their staff have completed training What you can do: Ensure that you complete required compliance training and education in a timely manner Keep record of trainings that occur 20

  21. THE SEVEN ELEMENTS.ELEMENT 4. Effective Lines of Communication Blue Cross and Blue Plus have established lines of communication within all levels of our organizations and with our FDRs Blue Cross’ and Blue Plus’ system includes methods to receive, record and respond to compliance questions, and reports of potential or actual non-compliance, while maintaining confidentiality FDRs are expected to report compliance concerns and/or FWA involving MA, MA-PD, Cost and PDP plans to the plan sponsor What you can do: Regularly review communications from your organization and the plan sponsor related to Medicare plans and ask questions Speak up. Report suspected or known non-compliance or FWA 21

  22. THE SEVEN ELEMENTS.ELEMENT 5. Well-Publicized Disciplinary Standards Blue Cross and Blue Plus have P&Ps that describe enforcement standards and disciplinary guidelines These standards and guidelines apply to all FDRs and their staff What you can do: Be familiar with disciplinary guidelines Abide by Blue Cross’ and Blue Plus’, or your organization’s similar, Code of Conduct and P&Ps, as well as state and federal laws Disciplinary Guidelines Violations of the Code of Conduct, P&Ps or other standards of conduct will result in disciplinary action, up to, and including termination of a FDR’s contract 22

  23. THE SEVEN ELEMENTS.ELEMENT 6. Effective System for Routine Monitoring and Identification of Compliance Risks Blue Cross and Blue Plus have established auditing and monitoring P&Ps The audit and monitor activities are based on an established workplan. The workplan includes: • oversight activities for internal operations and FDRs • identification of operational areas and FDRs audits based on a risk assessment or random selection • depending on the scope of services provided, some FDRs are audited annually 23

  24. THE SEVEN ELEMENTS.ELEMENT 6. Effective System for Routine Monitoring and Identification of Compliance Risks Blue Cross and Blue Plus regularly review the following lists to ensure we do not employ or contract with excluded individuals or entities: • General Services Administration’s (GSA) Excluded Parties List System (EPLS) • Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG) List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE) What you can do: Conduct and report on your own internal monitoring Cooperate with auditing and monitoring activities Share your concerns with the compliance team Your organization should regularly review the GSA and OIG exclusion lists to ensure that an excluded individual/entity does not perform services in support of services you provide to MA, MA-PD, PDP or Cost plans 24

  25. THE SEVEN ELEMENTS.ELEMENT 7. Procedures and System for Prompt Response to Compliance Issues Blue Cross and Blue Plus conduct timely and reasonable inquiries into detected offenses Operational day-to-day processes support the identification and remediation of issues Escalation P&Ps define what will occur and who is notified when a compliance issue has been identified What can you do: Report potential issues Cooperate with investigations and corrective action plans 25

  26. COMPLIANCE TRAINING. • CMS expects that all plan sponsors will apply their training requirements and “effective lines of communication” to the entities with which they partner • Having “effective lines of communication” means that employees of the organization and the partnering entities have several avenues through which to report compliance concerns

  27. ETHICS.DO THE RIGHT THING.

  28. WHAT IS NONCOMPLIANCE? Noncompliance is conduct that does not conform to the law, and Federal health care program requirements, or to an organization’s ethical and business policies. *For more information, see the Medicare Managed Care Manual and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Manual on http://www.cms.gov 28

  29. NONCOMPLIANCE HARMS ENROLLEES.

  30. NONCOMPLIANCE COSTS MONEY. • Noncompliance affects EVERYBODY • Without programs to prevent, detect, and correct noncompliance you risk: Higher Premiums Higher Insurance Copayments Lower benefits for individuals and employers Lower STAR ratings

  31. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Correcting Noncompliance Avoids the recurrence of the same noncompliance Promotes efficiency and effective internal controls Protects enrollees Ensures ongoing compliance with CMS requirements

  32. HOW DO I KNOW THE NONCOMPLIANCE WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN? • Once noncompliance is detected and corrected, an ongoing evaluation process is critical to ensure the noncompliance does not recur. • Monitoring activities are regular reviews which confirm ongoing compliance and ensure that corrective actions are undertaken and effective. • Auditing is a formal review of compliance with a particular set of standards (e.g., policies and procedures, laws and regulations) used as base measures

  33. KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES OF NONCOMPLIANCE. Your organization is required to have disciplinary standards in place for noncompliant or fraudulent behavior. Those who engage in noncompliant behavior should, as appropriate, be subject to any of the following:

  34. PENALTIES FOR COMPLIANCE VIOLATIONS. • CMS and other federal agenciescan impose civil, criminal and monetary penalties upon plan sponsors for compliance violations relating to applicable requirements or laws, including violations by a FDR. CMS may also impose such penalties on FDRs. • Penalties include, for example: • Monetary penalties • Suspension of enrollment activities • Suspension of payment for Medicare Beneficiaries who enroll • Suspension of all marketing activities to Medicare Beneficiaries • Exclusion from participation in the Medicare program 34

  35. PENALTIES FOR COMPLIANCE VIOLATIONS. • Enrollment, payment and marketing sanctions remain in effect until CMS is satisfied the deficiency is corrected and not likely to recur • In order to ensure compliance and avoid these penalties, Blue Cross and Blue Plus expect FDRs to comply with applicable requirements 35

  36. COMPLIANCE IS EVERYONE’S RESPONSIBILITY.

  37. PART 2: LAWS THAT GOVERN CONDUCT IN THE MEDICARE PROGRAM

  38. WHAT ARE MY RESPONSIBILITIES? You are a vital part of the effort to prevent, detect and report Medicare noncompliance as well as fraud, waste and abuse. FIRSTyou are required to comply with all applicable statutory, regulatory and other MA, MA-PD, Cost or PDP requirements, including adopting and implementing an effective compliance program SECONDyou have a duty to the Medicare Program to report any violations of laws that you may be aware of THIRDyou have a duty to follow your organization’s Code of Conduct that articulates your and your organization’s commitment to standards of conduct and ethical rules of behavior

  39. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. • Every plan sponsor and FDR must have policies and procedures (P&Ps) in place to address fraud, waste and abuse • These P&Ps should help detect, correct, and prevent fraud, waste and abuse • Make sure you are familiar with your organization’s policies and procedures

  40. LAWS. The following slides provide very high level information about specific laws. For details about the specific laws, such as safe harbor provisions, consult the applicable statute and regulations concerning the law.

  41. CIVIL FRAUD.CIVIL FALSE CLAIMS ACT. Prohibits: Presenting a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval Making or using a false record or statement in support of a false or fraudulent claim Conspiring to violate the False Claims Act Falsely certifying the type/amount of property to be used by the Government Certifying receipt of property without knowing if it’s true Buying public property from an unauthorized Government officer Knowingly concealing or improperly avoiding or decreasing an obligation to pay the Government

  42. CIVIL FALSE CLAIMS ACT AND DAMAGES AND PENALTIES. Penalties: Any person who knowingly submits false or fraudulent claims to the government is liable for triple the government’s damages, plus penalties from a range of $5,500 to $11,000 for each claim. 31 United States Code § 3729-3733

  43. CRIMINAL FRAUD PENALTIES. 18 United States Code § 1347 If an individual knowingly defrauds any health care benefit program or obtains, through false or fraudulent manner money or property under control of any health care benefit program, the individual shall be: • Fined, imprisoned, or both • If the violations resulted in death, the individual may be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both

  44. ANTI-KICKBACK STATUTE. Prohibits: Soliciting, receiving, offering or paying remuneration (including any kickback, bribe, or rebate) in return for referrals for (or the purchasing, ordering, arranging or recommendation of) services that are paid in whole or in part under a federal health care program (which includes the Medicare program). Penalty: Any person who knowingly accepts such remuneration will be fined up to $25,000, imprisoned up to 5 years, or both.Significant civil monetary penalties may also apply. Further, conviction results in mandatory exclusion from participation in federal health care programs. 42 United States Code § 1320a-7b

  45. STARK STATUTE.PHYSICIAN SELF-REFERRAL LAW. Prohibits: A physician from making a referral for certain designated health services payable by Medicare to an entity in which the physician (or a member of his or her immediate family) has a financial relationship (ownership, investment interest or compensation arrangement), unless an exception applies. Also prohibits the entity from presenting or causing to be presented claims to Medicare (or billing another individual, entity, or third party payer) for those referred services.

  46. STARK STATUTE. DAMAGES AND PENALTIES. 42 United States Code § 1395nn Penalty: Any individual/entity who knowingly participates in a prohibited referral arrangement may be fined, among other amounts and penalties: • Up to a $15,000fine for each fraudulent claim • Up to a $100,000 fine for entering into an arrangement or scheme

  47. CIVIL MONETARY PENALTIES. The OIG may seek Civil Monetary Penalties for a wide variety of conduct. For example, penalties may be applied to organizations that offer or give something of value to a Medicare beneficiary, such that the organization knows or should know is likely to influence the beneficiary’s selection of a particular provider, practitioner, or supplier of any item or service which may be paid entirely or in part by Medicare. 42 United States Code § 1320a-7a 47

  48. EXCLUSION. No federal health care program payment may be made for any item or service furnished, ordered or prescribed by an individual or entity excluded by the Office of Inspector General. 42 United States Code § 1395y(e)(1)(B) 42 Code of Federal Regulations Part 1001

  49. PRIVACY.HIPAA. As an individual with access to protected health care information, you are responsible for adhering to HIPAA/HITECH. These laws: Created greater access to health care insurance, protection of privacy of health care data and promoted standardization and efficiency in the health care industry Created safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to protected health care information Promoted the adoption of meaningful use of health information technology Addressed privacy and security concerns associated with the electronic transmission of health information, in part through several provisions that strengthen the civil and criminal enforcement of the HIPAA rules Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), as modified by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH)

  50. CMS DATA USE AGREEMENT. As part of the annual contracting process with CMS, plan sponsors are required to attest that they (and their FDRs) will: • Restrict the use and disclosure of Medicare data obtained from CMS information systems to those purposes directly related to the administration of MA, MA-PD, Cost and/or PDP plan(s) • Only maintain data obtained from CMS information systems that is necessary to administer such plan(s) • Not re-use or provide other entities access to the CMS information systems, or data obtained from the systems, to support any line of business other than the MA, MA-PD, Cost and/or PDP plan(s) • Limit the use of information obtained from Medicare plan members to those purposes directly related to the administration of the plan(s) 50

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