American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) Practice Exam

What action should be taken upon detection of a compliance violation?

1. Ignore the violation

2. Investigate and disclose the incident

3. Report the violation to the media

4. Change the practice standards immediately

The correct answer is: Investigate and disclose the incident

Upon detection of a compliance violation, the appropriate action is to investigate and disclose the incident. This approach is essential for several reasons. First, it ensures that the violation is thoroughly examined to understand the nature and extent of the issue. Investigating allows for gathering relevant information that can illuminate the root cause and help prevent future occurrences. Disclosing the incident also fosters a culture of transparency and accountability within the organization. It demonstrates a commitment to ethical practices and regulatory compliance, which can strengthen the organization’s reputation and trust among stakeholders, including patients, employees, and regulatory bodies. Additionally, addressing the violation promptly and appropriately can mitigate potential repercussions, such as legal penalties or damage to the organization’s credibility. It is important to resolve compliance issues proactively, as failing to do so could lead to more significant issues down the line. This careful approach contrasts significantly with ignoring the violation, which can lead to bigger problems, or excessively publicizing the incident before internal processes are completed, which may not significantly benefit the organization. Moreover, changing practice standards immediately without a thorough investigation may not address the underlying issues that caused the compliance violation.