Integrity Through Compliance

How Inspectors General Can Leverage Independent Monitors to Help Strengthen Corporate Compliance and Fight Fraud in Government Programs

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 15:14:00 +0000

How Inspectors General Can Leverage Independent Monitors to Help Strengthen Corporate Compliance and Fight Fraud in Government Programs

State AGs and the Role of Third Party Monitors in Consumer Protection Matters

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 06:03:00 +0000

State AGs and the Role of Third Party Monitors in Consumer Protection Matters

Surviving a Federal Program Integrity Agreement with Jim Anliot

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 23:50:00 +0000

Affiliated Monitor's Jim Anliot, Director of Healthcare Compliance Services discusses how best to navigate a federal program integrity agreement. Not only can you prepare yourself for such an unfortunate occurrence, but you can also take steps to try to prevent it from happening in the first place. Tune in as we discuss what to expect, best practices to adhere to, and stumbling blocks to avoid if your organization falls subject to a corporate integrity agreement or program integrity agreement with the OIG.

Frequently Asked Questions From Professionals Who Find Themselves Under a State Professional Board Order

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 16:34:00 +0000

On this episode of Integrity Through Compliance, Deann Conroy and Val Peake run through some of the most commonly asked questions by healthcare professionals who find themselves under a state...

Mikhail Reider-Gordon and Tom Fox Discuss the Conflicts of Interest Landscape in 2022

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 17:07:00 +0000

AMI's Mikhail Reider-Gordon joins up with Tom Fox to discuss the prevalence of COI's in the modern business and political landscape, as well as the need for a more comprehensive approach.

Spain and US Perspectives on Compliance, Ethics, and the New EU Whistleblower Initiative

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 17:07:00 +0000

In the first episode of 2022, Vin DiCianni sits down to talk with Iñigo Cisneros about Compliance, Ethics, and the New EU Whistleblower Initiative.

Based on the complementary experience of RocaJunyent in working with businesses in Spain and outside of the country, and AMI’s deep international experience in working with a company’s compliance program and ethical culture, we know that by taking a pro-active approach to developing, implementing, training and supervising compliance programs in all business sectors, effective compliance programs become an important part of corporate governance. Having a program that meets regulatory and best practice standards should be a recognized asset of any company.

Within the growing interest in the early adoption of regulatory compliance manuals in all types of organizations – following the repeated notices that come to us from the Second Chamber of the Spanish Supreme Court – the RJ and AMI alliance brings the expertise of AMI, a company that has vast experience and a proven methodology in the provision of these services, thanks to the knowledge acquired in its almost twenty years in the North American, Spanish, and international markets in performing these types of evaluations.

Working with trusted experts takes compliance to the next level, based on integrity and independence in the examination and evaluation of compliance programs which look at a variety of corporate governance, controls and processes, to strengthen the ethical culture and regulatory compliance in companies. RJ and AMI are excited to offer our services to companies in Spain, Portugal and throughout Europe.

Trends in Independent Monitoring (Replay)

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 17:00:59 +0000

Mikhail Reider-Gordon and Eric Feldman come together for the second half of a two part series on independent monitoring. Today, they discuss the ongoing trends and make a few predictions for the future.

Contact: podcast@affiliatedmonitors.com
Learn More: affiliatedmonitors.com/integrity-through-compliance-podcast
Music and Audio Production by Dan Barton

What to Expect From Independent Monitoring (Replay)

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 17:00:18 +0000

Integrity Through Compliance

What to Expect From Independent Monitoring (Replay)

00:00
/

00:27:28

Subscribe
Share

Download file | Play in new window | Duration: 00:27:28 | Recorded on 11/17/2021

Subscribe: Spotify

This podcast focuses on the role of an independent monitor. You will hear from two of AMI’s experts in corporate compliance and ethics, Senior Vice President, Eric Feldman and Managing Director, Mikhail Reider-Gordon, provide practical advice about the benefits of having an independent monitor.

Contact: podcast@affiliatedmonitors.com
Learn More: affiliatedmonitors.com/integrity-through-compliance-podcast
Music and Audio Production by Dan Barton

Telehealth & Home Health Care (Replay)

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 03 Nov 2021 16:00:11 +0000

Our debut episode gets a replay, featuring Vin DiCianni, President and Founder of Affiliated Monitors, Inc. and Gerald Coyne, Managing Director, State Monitoring Services, as they explain the future of telehealth and home healthcare during a pandemic and beyond.

Founded in 2004, Affiliated Monitors, Inc. (“AMI”) was the first company in the United States to focus on providing top-quality, independent integrity monitoring and assessment services across a wide range of regulated industries and professions. Monitoring and independent assessments are our only business.

Resources:
“The Expansion of Telemedicine During COVID-19 and Prospects for its Continued Use” by Gerald Coyne in Health Law Weekly (July 31, 2020)

Read the episode transcript here.

Contact: podcast@affiliatedmonitors.com
Learn More: affiliatedmonitors.com/integrity-through-compliance-podcast

Music and Audio Production by Dan Barton

Interview with Paul Coggins: Crime Fighter, Defender and Writer

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 16:00:12 +0000

This week, AMI’s Don Stern sits down with Paul Coggins to discuss his dual career as a lawyer and author. At Locke Lord, Paul is Co-Chair of the White Collar Criminal Defense and Internal Investigations Practice Group. In addition, he develops compliance and ethics programs for corporations and other business entities. Paul was also the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas from 1993-2001. As an author, Coggins just published his most recent novel, The Eye of The Tigress.

Raise Your Game, Not Your Voice Part II: The New E&C Bestseller from Lisa Beth Lentini Walker & Stef Tschida

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 06 Oct 2021 10:23:00 +0000

Jay Rosen is back for part 2 of our interview with Lisa Beth Lentini Walker and Stef Tschida about their new book, Raise Your Game, Not Your Voice. They wrote this book because they saw the importance of clear, effective communication to manage through tough situations like data breaches, acts of terrorism, and other chaotic events and in the day-to-day interactions that make or break a career.

Raise Your Game, Not Your Voice: Why Compliance & Marketing Are an E&C Dreamteam!

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 10:00:07 +0000

In this episode, AMI’s Jay Rosen interviews Lisa Beth Lentini Walker and Stef Tschida about their new book, Raise Your Game, Not Your Voice. They wrote this book because they saw the importance of clear, effective communication to manage through tough situations like data breaches, acts of terrorism, and other chaotic events and in the day-to-day interactions that make or break a career.

In an era of automation, working from anywhere and disconnection, the impact of true communication has never been so needed or so challenging. Some consider communication a “soft” skill or afterthought, but we strongly disagree. We have seen firsthand that effective communication aligned with business objectives—and targeted to the audience—has a significant impact on any initiative. This is especially true given the significant amount of transformation so many organizations are navigating as the workplace and business itself continues to change rapidly. The book addresses everything from being an effective member of an organization and intentionally managing relationships to practical tips on how to communicate clearly and partner with key stakeholders and internal resources, when applicable.

This book is for anyone who wants to use communication to be more effective in their role – from practitioners entering their careers, to mid-career professionals wanting to start off on the right foot at a new organization, to seasoned leaders looking to level up or help their teams get more done. Our intent is to help readers realize their organizational and career goals in way that is sustainable.

Tips For Effective Monitoring and What To Do When Crises Arise

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 10:00:59 +0000

Today’s podcast is brought to you by 3 of AMI’s healthcare monitoring experts: Jim Anliot, Deann Conroy, and Denise Moran. All three have had considerable experience developing and implementing strategies for overseeing troubled healthcare providers in ways which both promote performance improvement for those providers, and protection of the public interest for state and federal regulatory agencies. Today, they’re going to offer some tips on creating effective oversight programs and responding appropriately when problems with those oversight programs crop up.

AMI Employee Spotlight: Deann Conroy, Compliance Solutions Manager

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 10:00:51 +0000

Each month we’ll introduce you to a member of the Affiliated Monitors team. Learn more about AMI through the expertise, experience and outside interests of our employees. This month, in addition to our web feature we recorded a companion podcast with Deann Conroy, Compliance Solutions Manager. Ms. Conroy is an experienced attorney, leader, and educator of healthcare legal issues. She began working with AMI in 2016 as a Compliance Solutions Manager after taking early retirement from her career as a state and federal government lawyer.

Joe Miller Returns to Discuss Anticipated Antitrust Enforcement Trends in the Biden Administration

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 10:33:00 +0000

Joe Miller returns to Integrity Through Compliance. Six months into a new administration and all eyes are on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue — and on the Hill — to determine what changes president Biden may make, or encourage Congress to make, regarding antitrust enforcement. Thus far, we have heard rumblings of a federal ban on non-compete agreements in the employment context and we’ve seen proposals for new legislation, like the Competition and Antitrust Law Reform Act (or CALRA), that was proposed by Senator Klobuchar. Companies may need to know how to prepare for changes in antitrust enforcement, and how any new antitrust legislation might impact them. So Joe joins us to share his perspective on these important issues.

email podcast@affiliatedmonitors.com with comments, questions, or guest suggestions

Dionne Lomax and Joe Miller Take a Deep Dive Into Consent Decree Enforcement at FTC and DOJ

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 10:00:51 +0000

In this episode, AMI’s Dionne Lomax speaks with Joe Miller. Joe is the co-chair of Mintz Levin’s antitrust practice, and is also a partner in the firm’s healthcare practice group. At Mintz, Joe advises health systems, physician groups, health plans, trade associations, and other healthcare related businesses on assessing and mitigating antitrust risk, as well as representation before antitrust enforcers. In this discussion, they focus on recent developments in antitrust compliance — specifically, compliance with government consent decrees and what might be occurring behind the scenes at federal enforcement agencies once a company has settled antitrust charges.

Three Views on Responding to a Government Contractor’s Corporate Crisis

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 10:00:21 +0000

Join Affiliated Monitor’s Rod Grandon, Jenner & Block Partner, David Robbins, and former Engility Holdings, Inc. General Counsel, Tom Miiller, for an in-depth discussion focusing on crisis management from the perspectives of a General Counsel, outside legal counsel, and federal acquisition official.

Keeping Compliance Fresh: Compliance Evangelist Tom Fox Speaks with Vin DiCianni

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 10:00:23 +0000

Affiliated Monitors, Inc.’s Founder and President Vin DiCianni puts Tom Fox the Compliance Evangelist on the hot seat to discuss how to use stories and pop culture to keep ethics and compliance interesting. Together they trace how Tom became an international authority in the compliance world, and why he finds the field so interesting. Additionally, Vin and Tom note the way the field has changed in the previous decades, and the trends that may be upcoming.

Lastly, they preview Tom’s new book, The Compliance Handbook: Volume II which is now available for preorder through LexisNexis. Use the discount code FOX25 for 25% off your purchase.

Healthcare Entrepreneurship Must-Have: Putting Compliance Front & Center

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 10:00:59 +0000

Troutman Pepper’s Miranda Hooker joins the Integrity Through Compliance podcast to discuss her 20 years of experience as a white-collar attorney in the healthcare space, both as corporate defense attorney and as a federal healthcare fraud prosecutor. Together with AMI’s Jim Anliot and Jesse Caplan, she discusses the the growing opportunities, the significant compliance risks, the available compliance guidance (and the limits to that guidance), and how to mitigate the potential for government investigations and enforcement actions. There are huge potential opportunities for healthcare entrepreneurs in 2021, in addition to potential landmines that business leaders trip upon when they aren’t properly prepared. Visit the Affiliated Monitors website for the episode transcript

Topics discussed:

• How the pandemic has prompted huge opportunity for improvement in innovation and infrastructure of the healthcare system — national efforts at collecting COVID data have demonstrated how much room there is for improvement
• The huge increase in the adoption of telehealth services, and the scope of services which can be delivered remotely; the opportunities to better operationalize these innovations
• How to view healthcare from a more holistic perspective, rather than simply treating one specific condition
• How the future may shift away from the typical “fee for service” payment model in favor of alternative methods, such as value-based care models (which incentevise patient outcomes), accountable care organizations, concierge medicine (which involve a flat yearly fee for a range of services)
• How state licensing boards are adapting to interstate flexibility with the rise in telehealth services
• What entrepreneurial investors and venture capitalists need to know about entering the healthcare industry
• Where fraud and abuse concerns fall among the many considerations of entrepreneurs as they develop products and services
• The conflicting perspectives from which entrepreneurs and regulators view the healthcare marketplace
• Getting quality advice, and learning the regulatory landscape before launching a business, to assess whether the proposed business model will even work
• New DOJ guidance on compliance that reflects their understanding that it’s a constantly evolving landscape, and there is no one size fits all approach
• The importance of having a compliance officer who is visible throughout the company, and who is seen as a resource for making things better, as opposed to a “supercop” enforcer.
• The importance of a training program that involves compliance — not only in terms of the rules, but how the compliance program affects their particular role
• Whistleblower protections: employees need to know that if they report a problem, they will be protected from retaliation

Email podcast@affiliatedmonitors.com with comments or questions.

Engineering, production, and music by Dan Barton

Dionne Lomax and Kelly Graf Take a Look at Privacy and Cybersecurity Issues for 2021

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 19 May 2021 10:00:59 +0000

Recorded before the recent Colonial Pipeline Ransomware attack, Affiliated Monitors, Inc.’s Managing Director, Dionne Lomax, sat down with Dentons’ Kelly Graf to discuss Privacy and Cybersecurity Issues for 2021 and Beyond. Kelly shares with our listeners how mature their security programs need to be in light of ransomware, phishing, and a post-COVID-19 Work From Home data protection environment. Now that cybersecurity is in the news more than ever, this conversation couldn’t be more relevant.

They cover topics including:
• The multi-trillion dollar growth in this criminal industry over the last decade
• The importance of remote working standards and network segmentation
• Class action lawsuits regarding large scale data breaches
• Ongoing trends in FTC enforcement of COPPA
• The modern sophistication of phishing and social engineering attacks
• The perverse incentives created by, and the unintended consequences of, the growing cybersecurity insurance industry
• The creative ways that lawyers have used outdated privacy laws to bring data security lawsuits

From Business Opportunities to Compliance Risks: Healthcare Expectations in 2021

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 05 May 2021 10:00:29 +0000

In this weeks installment, Jesse Caplan, Dionne Lomax, and Jim Anliot team up to discuss wide ranging risks and opportunities for healthcare practitioners and entrepreneurs. Dionne Lomax reflects on the unprecedented collaboration that was necessary to provide quality care in the height of the COVID-19 crisis. But antitrust and fraud concerns come with the territory, and the panel provides anecdotes and advice for dealing with this collaboration. Additionally, Jim Anliot’s main advice for anyone looking to innovate in the healthcare space with a new idea or service needs the guidance of experts to navigate the extremely complicated regulatory landscape.

Email podcast@affiliatedmonitors.com with comments or questions, and be sure to subscribe and/or leave a review if you enjoy this show!

The Past, Present, & Future of Monitoring with Rod Rosenstein

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 10:00:17 +0000

Affiliated Monitors Managing Director Don Stern hosts an engaging conversation with the Former Deputy Attorney General, King & Spalding’s Rod Rosenstein, and Affiliated Monitors Managing Director Eric Feldman as they conclude a two-part podcast on “The Past, Present, & Future of Compliance and Independent Monitoring.”

In part two, the trio shifts their focus to independent monitoring. People have some misconceptions about monitoring. Most companies don’t particularly welcome having a monitor. They view it as intrusive. They view it as — in some cases — unnecessary.

Historically, prosecutors (including the Department of Justice) are not necessarily focused on what happens after there’s a conviction. You get the result; you move on to the next investigation. What happens to the company? Does it really get the message, and has it made changes? Have prosecutors become more focused on what happens after the conviction, and if so, why?

The first question is: how do you determine whether there’s a need for a monitor? And that really focuses on the issue that has been identified, which is that the purpose shouldn’t be punitive. The monitor is not intended to be a form of punishment. It’s supposed to be prospective.

Then second question is: what is the scope of responsibilities of the monitor? A company may have made a mistake in one area. Do we give them monitor authority over that area alone, or do we broaden the authority of the monitor?

As is our “Integrity Through Compliance” tradition, Rod and Eric share their key takeaways on monitoring:

Eric:

First off, avoid a monitor. It may seem funny for a monitor to say avoid a monitor, but knowing that a company can demonstrate that it has strengthened its compliance program and its corporate culture, there is an opportunity to avoid a monitorship, given the right proactive measures are taken.
If you do have to have a monitor, make lemonade from the lemons. In fact, one of our clients has deemed out monitorship “Project Lemonade.” Companies should take advantage of it, and use the monitor as an opportunity to get focus and resources on compliance within their company.

Rod:

Rod picked up on Eric’s first point to avoid a monitor. The goal of the latest DOJ policy is to drive constructive change. Companies can avoid a monitor — even after wrongdoing occurs — by changing corporate leadership and culture, by improving internal controls and compliance programs.
Demonstrate that your program will deter future misconduct. This can be accomplished proactively before a company gets in trouble (or even after a company gets in trouble), so they’ll be best positioned to make their pitch to the department about the ultimate resolution.

The Past, Present, & Future of Compliance with Rod Rosenstein

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 10:00:44 +0000

Affiliated Monitors Managing Director Don Stern hosts an engaging conversation with the Former Deputy Attorney General, King & Spalding’s Rod Rosenstein, and Affiliated Monitors Managing Director Eric Feldman as they commence a two-part podcast on “The Past, Present and Future of Compliance and Independent Monitoring.”

In part one, the trio looks at compliance, with a particular focus on the DOJ guidance as it has been articulated over the past two years. The panel discusses where compliance is now, where it is headed, and what companies might do to prepare for the closer look that they might receive from increased DOJ scrutiny under the current administration. In two weeks, the panel will return for part two, where they will shift their attention to monitoring. As is our “Integrity Through Compliance” tradition, Rod and Eric will share their key takeaways on
compliance:

Rod
1. Investing in compliance brings a positive return on investment
2. Compliance is about culture and not just the written rules
3. Compliance policies need to be reviewed on a regular basis

Eric
1. Compliance programs should be based on actual risks of your company
2. Take a strong look at how and whether the company is incentivizing the right kind of behavior.

Contact: podcast@affiliatedmonitors.com
Learn More: affiliatedmonitors.com/integrity-through-compliance-podcast
Music and Audio Production by Dan Barton

Trends in Independent Monitoring

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 06:15:00 +0000

Contact: podcast@affiliatedmonitors.com
Learn More: affiliatedmonitors.com/integrity-through-compliance-podcast
Music and Audio Production by Dan Barton

What to Expect From Independent Monitoring

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 06:06:00 +0000

Contact: podcast@affiliatedmonitors.com
Learn More: affiliatedmonitors.com/integrity-through-compliance-podcast
Music and Audio Production by Dan Barton

The Benefit of Diversity and Inclusion for Corporate & Compliance Experts, with Joseph K. West

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 06:07:00 +0000

This podcast introduces you to Joseph K. West, Partner and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the law firm of Duane Morris. The discussion focuses on the proven benefits of having a diverse workforce, as well as the commitment necessary to make diversity and inclusion a critical component of your organization. AMI’s Managing Directors Brenda Morris and Dionne Lomax are your hosts.

Resources:
https://www.duanemorris.com/

Contact: podcast@affiliatedmonitors.com
Learn More: affiliatedmonitors.com/integrity-through-compliance-podcast
Music and Audio Production by Dan Barton

Meet Jennifer Newton, CEO and Founder of the National Association of Black Compliance & Risk Management Professionals, Inc. (NABCRMP)

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 06:00:35 +0000

On this episode of “Integrity Through Compliance: AMI’s Business Success Series” you will be introduced to Jennifer Newton, CEO and Founder of the National Association of Black Compliance & Risk Management Professionals, Inc. hosted by AMI’s Managing Directors, Brenda Morris and Dionne Lomax. Newton discusses the origin of the organization, which was founded in 2019. The non-profit association is dedicated to the professional development of African-American compliance and risk management professionals. Members of NABCRMP represent corporations, financial institutions, law firms, accountants, consulting firms, government agencies, trade associations, universities and non-profit organizations.

Resources:
NABCRMP website: https://www.nabcrmp.org

Transcript available here

Contact: podcast@affiliatedmonitors.com
Learn More: affiliatedmonitors.com/integrity-through-compliance-podcast
Music and Audio Production by Dan Barton

Telehealth and Home Healthcare

Affiliated Monitors Inc. — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 13:45:31 +0000

Our debut episode features Vin DiCianni, President and Founder of Affiliated Monitors, Inc. and Gerald Coyne, Managing Director, State Monitoring Services, as they explain the future of telehealth and home healthcare during a pandemic and beyond.

Resources:
“The Expansion of Telemedicine During COVID-19 and Prospects for its Continued Use” by Gerald Coyne in Health Law Weekly (July 31, 2020)

Read the episode transcript here.

Contact: podcast@affiliatedmonitors.com
Learn More: affiliatedmonitors.com/integrity-through-compliance-podcast

Music and Audio Production by Dan Barton