Managing Healthcare Compliance in Kansas

Managing healthcare compliance in Kansas is all about strategy. Because state-specific regulations are always evolving, healthcare professionals and organizations need to establish flexible yet reliable compliance programs and systems. Healthcare leaders must keep themselves well-informed on the state’s dynamic healthcare laws in order to remain in compliance.

Staying ahead of the game is your best bet. Lagging in compliance can lead to significant issues, including and not limited to, legal and financial troubles. This article gives valuable insights for providers and compliance managers in Kansas, focusing on regulations relevant to the state.

Kansas Healthcare Compliance Resources

Let’s start with the important state government agencies you’ll need to work with:

• The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) is a state agency responsible for protecting and promoting the health and environment of Kansas residents.
• The Kansas Hospital Association (KHA) is a key healthcare advocacy organization dedicated to supporting and representing the interests of hospitals and health systems throughout Kansas.
• The KDHE Division of Health Care Finance manages Kansas’s Medicaid program, overseeing healthcare policy, and ensuring efficient and equitable healthcare financing within the state.
• The Kansas State Board of Healing Arts is a regulatory authority responsible for licensing and overseeing the practice of various healthcare professionals in Kansas to ensure high standards of professional conduct and quality care.
• The Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board is tasked with licensing and regulating behavioral health professionals in Kansas, ensuring adherence to ethical standards and competent practice in the field.

These agencies help maintain the integrity and quality of healthcare services in Kansas, protecting the public and promoting patient safety. The resources provided by these Kansas state agencies are essential for promoting public health, ensuring access to healthcare, supporting healthcare professionals, and enhancing overall health outcomes for the residents of Kansas.

Regulations Unique to Kansas

To meet the standards of healthcare compliance in Kansas, there are a few additional regulations.

Healthcare Facility Licensing Regulations and Surveys

For healthcare executives and compliance officers in Kansas, understanding the role of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Bureau of Facilities and Licensing is crucial. This bureau is responsible for state licensing and federal certification of all acute and continuing care providers in Kansas, including specialty hospitals, organ transplant centers, critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, home health and hospice agencies, and others. The bureau is authorized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to survey facilities to ensure compliance.

Telehealth Policy

Providers in Kansas need to be aware of the state’s Telemedicine Act, which governs policies for telehealth services. The act states that insurance companies are only required to cover telehealth services if that service is included when delivered in-person. Essentially, the policy aims to integrate telehealth seamlessly into existing healthcare coverage, ensuring that the delivery method (in-person or via telehealth) does not limit the access to or quality of care that patients receive under their health insurance plans. For healthcare compliance officers who work at facilities offering telehealth, it is essential that company policies align with this law and that staff are informed.  

Tips To Manage Healthcare Compliance in Kansas

Effectively managing healthcare compliance in Kansas is a critical responsibility for healthcare organizations, as it ensures the delivery of high-quality care while adhering to legal and regulatory requirements. Here are some key strategies to help healthcare organizations manage compliance effectively:

• Conduct State-Specific Training: Provide ongoing training and education to staff that is customized to your state’s regulations as well as your facility. If using a learning management system, ensure the vendor offers Kansas-approved training.
• Organize Policies By Requirement: Including “KS” in every document that is required by the state will make it much easier for you to find these documents in an online system when a surveyor is onsite. It is also best practice to include the standard you are meeting for additional clarity.
• Establish a System for Monitoring Risk: Being able to identify compliance risks before they become incidents or violations can save the entire organization time and money. Identifying trends and consistently reviewing reports can signal issues, such as training not being completed or a large number of incidents in one location.
• Use Compliance Management Software: Accreditation surveyors say organizations that use compliance software are more prepared for onsite visits and surveys. The software helps to keep documents and policies organized, ensures training content is up to date, and makes reporting easy.

By implementing these strategies and fostering a culture of compliance within your healthcare organization, you can effectively manage healthcare compliance, reduce risks, and provide the best possible care to your patients while staying within legal boundaries.

Credentialing Compliance in Kansas

Unique to Kansas is a partnership between the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts and CE Broker. The system offers providers several options for tracking their continuing education (CE) needed to maintain licensure. The Basic Account option provides free access to providers’ course history and CE compliance status. Another helpful tool is Course Search, which allows for a quick and easy way to find and complete courses for license requirements. For an additional cost, providers can use the Professional or Concierge Account, which includes a personalized CE transcript and a dedicated account manager for guided reporting assistance.  The integration signifies the Board’s initiative to leverage technology for efficient management of credentialing and CE compliance for providers in Kansas.

Meet Kansas Compliance Requirements With MedTrainer 

While the path may be complex, healthcare providers who prioritize compliance will not only avoid legal troubles but also enhance the quality of care they provide to their patients in Kansas. 

MedTrainer’s all-in-one compliance platform can streamline management of Kansas healthcare compliance. MedTrainer seamlessly consolidates your organization’s policies, incident reports, safety plans, HR documents, contracts, and more. This centralized repository ensures all employees have easy access to essential information. The course library is curated to align with regulatory and accreditation requirements, and courses are regularly added and updated to ensure the most current information. Learn more about MedTrainer today!