Compliance:
Watch Out For Unexpected Compliance Risk From FTC
Published on Fri Jan 02, 2009
FTC says health care providers could be considered 'creditors.' Health care organizations including home care providers that think compliance enforcement for their businesses is under the purview of their Medicare contractors, CMS, and the OIG should think again. Now it looks like the Federal Trade Com-mission also wants to lay down the law with medical providers. Last summer, the FTC issued its "Red Flags Rules" that require financial institutions and creditors to create written identity theft prevention programs by Nov. 1, 2008. However, many businesses -- including health care providers -- didn't realize they should be considered "creditors" and weren't ready to put plans in place to comply with the Red Flag rules. Therefore, the FTC delayed enforcement of the rule until May 1, 2009. At issue: The FTC's original notices regarding the new rule listed several types of covered entities, including car dealerships and utility companies. However, the FTC [...]