In Brief: HCCA Says Not-For-Profits Much More Likely To Be Audited

Not-for-profit healthcare institutions experience audits from outside entities at a rate more than 50% higher for-profits, according to a new study by the Minneapolis-based Health Care Compliance Association.

Not-for-profits experienced an average of six audits per calendar year, compared to fewer than four audits per calendar year among for-profits.

The survey also found 42%  of not-for-profits had undergone audits from either the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services' Office of Civil Rights, Office of Inspector General, RACs or other outside agencies. Only 25% of for-profits experienced such audits.

“The amount of government and healthcare resources devoted to these audits is staggering. And if that was not enough, I would not be surprised if these numbers increased significantly in the next few years,” said HCCA Chief Executive Officer Roy Snell.