Certified Ambulance Compliance Officer (CACO)
The nationally recognized certification for ambulance compliance professionals.
*Pricing shown is for the ONLINE course only. Live Course prices may vary.
Ambulance services operate in an increasingly complex regulatory environment. The Certified Ambulance Compliance Officer (CACO) course was specifically developed for compliance officers within ambulance services and billing organizations.
This course prepares current and prospective compliance professionals to:
- Develop, implement and monitor the agency's compliance program
- Write and monitor policies
- Organize and conduct compliance training
- Investigate and handle internal and external reports of compliance concerns
The CACO course is recommended for current and prospective compliance officers, upper level leadership, advanced billers and coders, and individuals responsible for compliance oversight within ambulance organizations and billing agencies.
Click HERE to learn about upcoming CACO Live Trainings.
WHAT YOU'LL MASTER
The skills ambulance compliance professionals need,
delivered through six focused modules
Proactively Monitor Compliance
Build an effective compliance program designed to support audit readiness and reduce organizational risk.
Conduct Internal Audits
Identify potential compliance concerns involving reimbursement, privacy, contracting, security, and HR.
Develop and Maintain a Comprehensive Compliance Program
Gain the knowledge and credibility needed to build, manage, and improve ambulance compliance programs.
Strengthen Organizational Accountability
Create a culture of compliance through effective training, monitoring, and policy development.
CURRICULUM
Six modules.
One exam.
A credential that carries weight.
Each module combines recorded lectures, case-study breakdowns, downloadable policy templates, and end-of-module quizzes. The course concludes with a proctored final exam.
Module 1 provides an overview of the roles and responsibilities of the Certified Ambulance Compliance Officer, ensuring ethics and accountability within the organization, and the laws, regulations and payer payment policies that impact compliance.
- Lesson 1A - CACO Roles and Responsibilities
- In this lesson we discuss the roles and responsibilities of the effective CACO and the unique challenges facing the ambulance compliance officer. We also discuss the compliance infrastructure and how to develop an annual compliance work plan.
- Lesson 1B - Program Integrity and Credibility
- This lesson deals with accountability and ethics within the ambulance industry and ensuring the credibility and integrity of the compliance program including identifying and dealing with conflicts of interest.
- Lesson 1C - The Compliance Library
- An effective CACO must have strong knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations and payment policies related to ambulance compliance such as the False Claims Act, Anti-Kickback Statute and Civil Monetary Penalties Law, medical necessity requirements, Medicare and Medicaid payment policies, and insurance fraud laws.
Module 2 discusses the key elements of an effective compliance program, the necessary plans, policies and procedures, and the importance of conducting a thorough risk assessment.
- Lesson 2A - Essential Elements
- This lesson examines the Office of Inspector General’s seven essential elements of an effective compliance program as well as other compliance resources and provides the steps necessary to implement a successful compliance program.
- Lesson 2B- Plans, Policies and Procedures
- This lesson provides guidance for writing a compliance plan and a code of conduct, along with an overview of key compliance policies for the organization as a whole. Specific policy needs based on organizational roles and responsibilities are also addressed.
- Lesson 2C- Risk Assessment
- Lesson 2C discusses the principles and methodologies for assessing the key compliance risk areas in the ambulance organization and how to conduct a risk assessment, prioritize risk and develop a corrective action plan.
This course covers employee training and education, investigating complaints and concerns, and dealing with compliance mistakes and misconduct.
- Lesson 3A - Training and Education
- In this lesson we discuss promoting a culture of compliance through general and department-specific compliance training, along with different training methods and how to evaluate training efforts.
- Lesson 3B - Investigating Complaints and Concerns
- One of the essential elements of an effective compliance program is open lines of communication. This lesson covers establishing and publicizing reporting mechanisms, how to investigate complaints and concerns, and enforcing a non-retaliation policy.
- Lesson 3C- Compliance Mistakes and Misconduct
- This lesson examines the difference between mistakes and misconduct and how to respond appropriately, fairly and consistently when mistakes are made or misconduct is uncovered.
This course covers proactive internal auditing and monitoring to ensure continued compliance and program effectiveness, and discusses how to respond to external audits and investigations initiated by various government enforcement agencies.
- Lesson 4A - Proactive Auditing and Monitoring
- This lesson discusses the steps and methods for conducting internal audits, the effective use of external review and how to continuously monitor results. This lesson also covers the process for refunding identified overpayments and the proper use of the OIG’s self-disclosure protocol.
- Lesson 4B - External Audits and Investigations
- In this lesson we discuss the various enforcement agencies who can initiate audits or investigations, the difference between a civil and criminal investigation, how to respond appropriately to an audit or investigation, and when to engage legal counsel.
In this course we discuss proper pricing and contracting practices, ensuring compliance of the agency as a whole, and compliance with privacy and security laws.
- Lesson 5A - Pricing Practices
- Lesson 5A discusses how to avoid discounting issues under the Anti-Kickback Statute through a fair market value analysis and cost analysis as well as tips for educating facilities and others about lawful pricing.
- Lesson 5B - Contracting Compliance
- This lesson covers key compliance issues with business contracts as well as specific compliance issues with business partners, facilities, vendors and other outside parties.
- Lesson 5C - Agency Compliance
- This lesson discusses agency licensure and enrollment issues, the steps to conduct proper credential and certification verifications, including the OIG's list of excluded individuals and entities, and how to identify and manage potential whistleblower activity.
- Lesson 5D - HIPAA Compliance
- In this lesson we examine the privacy and security rule and discuss how to ensure HIPAA compliance. The interplay between the CACO and the Privacy Officer is also addressed.
- Lesson 6 - Evaluating Compliance Effectiveness
- Lesson 6 covers what government agencies consider in assessing compliance effectiveness, best practices for assessing effectiveness of your compliance program, and when and how to implement changes.
MAINTAINING YOUR CERTIFICATION
CACO Recertification Requirements
Once certified, CACOs maintain their credential through annual continuing education focused on compliance topics.
annually
- Ambulance Compliance and Enforcement
- Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Laws
- Medicare Rules and Regulations
- Claim Auditing and Review
Ways to earn CEU credit
It's the responsibility of the CACO to obtain a CEU Certificate and enter it on the NAAC website prior to their expiration date. If you plan on attending a conference and don't see the NAAC CEU Approved logo, please contact the Conference Organizer and request that they apply for approval of their training for NAAC CEUs.