Interactive Training combines Technology, Expertise To Ensure Healthcare Compliance In Convenient, Cost-effective Way

(RIVERWOODS, ILL., April 19, 2000) – CCH INCORPORATED (CCH), a leading provider of health law and compliance information, and Ernst & Young have announced the release of their new interactive web-based, healthcare compliance training tool: ComplianceEdge (www.complianceedge.com). The definitive compliance training system, ComplianceEdge, delivers to the desktop CCH’s authoritative healthcare compliance law analysis and Ernst & Young’s world-class educational training and healthcare consulting expertise to provide a compliance training solution to healthcare providers.

The distance training capability is highly convenient and cost effective — since ComplianceEdge is Internet-based, it can be accessed any time from anywhere a user has browser capabilities. Delivered to the desktop, ComplianceEdge also reduces classroom time and allows flexibility in the choice of training environment.

"Leveraging the power of Ernst & Young’s award-winning LEAP technology, ComplianceEdge Internet-based program efficiently reaches a wide range of healthcare personnel – from coding clerks to top executives – and provides detailed coverage of compliance responsibilities at each functional level," said CCH product manager Daniel J. Weissburg, Esq.

Hospital Series Launches ComplianceEdge Line of Training Tools

The Hospital Series is the first training segment released by ComplianceEdge, with comprehensive coverage of compliance issues relating to hospitals and ancillary providers often owned or operated by hospitals.

Training in the Hospital Series spans the spectrum of compliance issues including governance, coding, billing, cost reporting, emergency department, physician relationships, home health, hospices, skilled nursing facilities and patients rights. Upcoming series include Physicians, Managed Care and Pharmacy.

ComplianceEdge Overview

ComplianceEdge lessons and courses were developed by subject area experts at Ernst & Young and CCH in consultation with an advisory board comprised of compliance officers who provide a frontline perspective on effective practices and expert insight on emerging trends.

Functionality

ComplianceEdge uses the power of Ernst & Young’s LEAP technology and interactive Internet technology to create a practical experience that allows each user to learn at his or her own pace. The distance training capability is efficient and cost-effective, especially for hospital systems with multiple locations and employees on multiple shifts.

ComplianceEdge provides freestanding, self-paced lessons that can be taken over time. Each lesson, which takes about an hour to complete, includes a pre-test to assess the user’s starting level of knowledge, the actual lesson on compliance requirements in specific areas and a post-test to assess comprehension upon completion.

Reports

Well-documented training is critical for providers to demonstrate a commitment to compliance, both to a provider’s management or board and to government and accreditation agency auditors. With this in mind, ComplianceEdge generates comprehensive, customizable reports.

"With healthcare compliance a top government priority, it’s critical for those with financial and compliance responsibility within healthcare organizations to reduce liability exposure by ensuring that effective, uniform, dedicated compliance training is in place," said Weissburg.

For More Information

For more information on ComplianceEdge, contact Daniel J. Weissburg at CCH at (847) 267-2145, Ernst & Young Product Sales at (800) 726-7339, or visit the ComplianceEdge web site at www.complianceedge.com for more information and an online product demonstration.

About CCH INCORPORATED

CCH INCORPORATED, headquartered in Riverwoods, Ill., was founded in 1913 and has served generations of business professionals and their clients. For more than 50 years, the company has regularly tracked, reported, explained and analyzed health and entitlement law for healthcare providers, insurers, attorneys and consumers.

CCH is the premier provider of Medicare and Medicaid information and publishes the industry standards, the CCH Medicare and Medicaid Guide and the CCH Healthcare Compliance Portfolio. CCH is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wolters Kluwer U.S. The CCH web site can be accessed at www.cch.com. The CCH Health web site can be accessed at http://health.cch.com.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is the leading integrated professional services firm in the United States and among the leading firms in all major U.S. markets. Globally, they employ more than 85,000 professionals and have than 660 locations in over 130 countries. Ernst & Young is the fastest growing professional services firm, providing services in all major industries. Their Compliance practice is one of the country’s largest consulting practices to employ attorneys, former compliance officers and accountants with operational and legal expertise in all areas of compliance. Their Global Learning Solutions practice provides training solutions both to internal and external clients with expertise in performance change, instructional design, and instructional technology.

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Editor’s Note: Members of the media interested in reviewing ComplianceEdge may contact Leslie Bonacum at (847) 267-7153 or bonacuml@cch.com.