What is a Corporate Integrity Agreement (CIA)?

A Corporate Integrity Agreement (CIA) is specifically designed as a settlement tool that ensures a healthcare organization adheres to established compliance programs following a legal or regulatory violation. Typically, it arises when an organization may have been involved in fraudulent practices or other compliance-related issues, prompting the need for rectification and monitoring.

The CIA sets forth a series of requirements that the organization must follow to demonstrate a commitment to ethical practices and compliance with healthcare laws. This can include initiatives like regular training for employees, audits of billing practices, and legal assessments of organizational practices. The focus is on establishing a systematic approach to compliance to prevent future violations.

In contrast, the other options outlined do not embody the essence of a CIA. A merger refers to a business combination of two healthcare entities, which bears no resemblance to the compliance aspect of a CIA. A financing agreement deals with financial arrangements and funding rather than compliance obligations. A disclaimer of liability is a legal statement that seeks to limit responsibility for certain actions, which diverges from the proactive compliance objectives that a CIA aims to enforce.