Managing Healthcare Compliance in Nevada

Healthcare compliance in Nevada involves adhering to specific regulations and striking a balance between diligently following these rules and delivering high-quality, ethical patient care. Healthcare facilities and professionals in Nevada need to focus on patient well-being while also reducing legal and financial risks due to non-compliance.

Comprehensive knowledge, efficient systems, and consistent policy updates based on regulatory changes are essential to managing healthcare compliance effectively. This article gives you a succinct overview of the key healthcare compliance regulations you need to know in Nevada.

Nevada Healthcare Compliance Resources

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

• The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHD) is a state agency responsible for ensuring public health and access to healthcare services, while also managing various health-related programs and policies in Nevada.
• The Nevada Hospital Association (NHA) is a key organization that advocates for and supports hospitals and health systems in Nevada, focusing on enhancing healthcare delivery and policy in the state.
• The Nevada Division of Health Care Financing and Policy (DHCFP) administers Medicaid and other healthcare funding programs, aiming to provide accessible and cost-effective care to eligible residents in Nevada.
• The Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners is the regulatory body responsible for licensing and overseeing medical professionals in Nevada, ensuring adherence to medical standards and ethical practices
• The Nevada Board of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists and Clinical Professional Counselors regulates and licenses practitioners in these fields, ensuring they meet professional standards for practice in Nevada.

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

Regulations Unique to Nevada

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

Advanced Directive Law

For healthcare compliance professionals and providers in Nevada, understanding the Registry Law for Advance Directives is crucial. As per NRS 449A.715, the law states that individuals who want to register an advance directive must submit an application, the directive itself, and any required fee to the Secretary of State. Once these criteria are met, the Secretary of State electronically reproduces and posts the directive to the Registry and to a connected health information exchange. This procedure for advanced directives in Nevada aids healthcare providers in efficiently accessing and respecting patients’ advance directives in critical care scenarios. Therefore, policies should be in place at healthcare organizations to reflect the guidelines of the law.

Telehealth Policy

Nevada’s telehealth policies offer a broad range of opportunities for healthcare professionals. Providers are eligible for Medicaid reimbursement for services including live video, store-and-forward, and audio-only consultations, although remote patient monitoring isn’t covered. The state mandates equal reimbursement rates for telehealth and in-person services. Nevada is also a member of the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact of the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards, and the Emergency Medical Services Compact. Participating providers need to comply with the licensure requirements for each compact. Of further benefit to healthcare professionals in Nevada, insurance companies can not demand additional qualifications or in-person consultations for telehealth coverage.

Tips To Manage Healthcare Compliance in Nevada

Effectively managing healthcare compliance in Nevada 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 Nevada-approved training.
• Organize Policies By Requirement: Including “NV” 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 Nevada

Medical credentialing in Nevada is a critical process for healthcare providers, particularly for those associated with Medicaid. Currently, each Managed Care Organization (MCO) and Dental Benefit Administrator (DBA) for Medicaid handles its own credentialing process, which involves background checks, exclusion checks, and contacting medical schools, licensing boards, and other entities for verification. However, the Division of Health Care Financing and Policy (DHCFP), also known as Nevada Medicaid, is transitioning to a centralized Credentialing Verification Organization (CVO). This move aims to streamline the credentialing process for Medicaid providers in Nevada, creating a more efficient one-stop-shop system. Providers and credentialers should refer to the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Division of Health Care Financing and Policy website for updates.

Meet Nevada 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 Nevada. 

MedTrainer’s all-in-one compliance platform can streamline management of Nevada 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!