When and How Should a Hotline Vendor Be Re-Evaluated?
Most health care organizations have been using a compliance hotline vendor for many years. Anyone with the same hotline vendor for more than five years may wish to re-evaluate the agreement and services. Over time, advanced technology and enhanced methodologies have improved the service and reduced costs. There is also a lot more competition out there that provides variations of services and fees. This is good information for negotiating a better deal. Many may find better services at half the cost of their current vendor. Also, this should be part of any ongoing monitoring and auditing of the hotline program, as is called for by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) in its various compliance guidance documents.