What statement is true regarding the updating of a compliance program due to changing healthcare regulations?

The statement that the compliance program should be a continuous work in progress is correct because compliance in the healthcare sector is dynamic and must adapt to new laws, regulations, and standards as they emerge. Regular updates to the compliance program ensure that an organization remains compliant with current regulations and can effectively mitigate risks associated with non-compliance.

Healthcare regulations can change frequently due to new legislation, shifting guidelines from regulatory bodies, or evolving industry standards. This necessitates a proactive approach where compliance programs are not treated as static documents but rather as living frameworks that require ongoing evaluation and modification.

Additionally, a continuous improvement mindset allows for the incorporation of feedback from audits, monitoring activities, and incidents that occur within the organization. This helps to ensure that the compliance program remains effective in promoting a culture of compliance and addressing specific compliance risks that may arise over time.

In contrast, updating the compliance program only once a year or mandating biannual updates does not account for the need for timely adaptations when regulations change outside of that schedule. Similarly, while consultant reviews can be beneficial, they are not universally required for compliance updates, as organizations may have the capacity to perform these updates internally.