HUH COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENT PORTAL
Regulatory & Risk Areas
Regulatory compliance is essential to maintaining Howard University Hospital’s integrity, safety, and reputation. Adhering to federal, state, and accreditation requirements ensures we deliver high-quality, ethical, and lawful care. Compliance protects patients, employees, and the institution from legal, financial, and reputational harm.
Key risk areas include patient privacy (HIPAA), billing and documentation accuracy, clinical research integrity, conflicts of interest, vendor relationships, safety and quality reporting, and adherence to anti-fraud and anti-kickback laws.
By understanding these risks and following HUH policies, every staff member plays a vital role in preventing violations and promoting a culture of accountability, transparency, and excellence in care.
Integrity in compliance protects us all.
HUH COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENT PORTAL
HIPAA Privacy
Understanding HIPAA and Why It Matters
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects the privacy and security of patients’ health information. At Howard University Hospital, every employee shares responsibility for safeguarding patient data—whether spoken, written, or electronic.
Following HIPAA guidelines means using patient information only for legitimate work purposes, protecting records from unauthorized access, and avoiding discussions about patients in public areas. Violations can lead to serious penalties, reputational harm, and loss of trust.
By maintaining confidentiality and handling information responsibly, we honor our patients, uphold the law, and reinforce HUH’s commitment to ethical, compassionate, and compliant care.
Accurate billing and coding are vital to Howard University Hospital’s commitment to ethical, high-quality, and compliant healthcare. Maintaining compliance in these areas ensures that all services are documented truthfully, billed appropriately, and align with federal and state regulations. Errors or intentional misrepresentations in billing or coding can lead to financial penalties, loss of trust, and reputational harm to the hospital.
Every staff member involved in the billing process—whether documenting care, entering codes, or submitting claims—plays a critical role in protecting HUH from compliance risks. Following established policies, maintaining complete and accurate records, and promptly reporting discrepancies reflect our shared values of integrity, accountability, and excellence. By adhering to HUH’s billing and coding compliance standards, we safeguard patient trust, ensure fair reimbursement, and uphold the hospital’s mission to provide equitable, ethical, and financially responsible care to every patient we serve. Accuracy matters—compliance protects us all.
Purpose
Howard University Hospital (HUH) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability. To protect the interests of our patients, community, and institution, all employees, physicians, contractors, and leaders must disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.A conflict of interest occurs when personal, financial, or outside relationships could influence—or appear to influence—professional judgment, decision-making, or actions on behalf of the hospital.
Examples of Potential Conflicts
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Having a financial interest (ownership, investment, or compensation) in a company that does business with HUH.
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Receiving gifts, payments, or incentives from vendors, suppliers, or partners.
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Engaging in outside employment or consulting that competes with or interferes with HUH responsibilities.
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Participating in decisions that benefit a family member or close associate.
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Involvement in research or contracts that may create divided loyalties.
Disclosure Requirements
All staff must:
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Annually disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest.
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Update disclosures within 30 days of a change in circumstances.
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Seek guidance from the Compliance Department if unsure whether a situation presents a conflict.
Reporting Process
Click on the link to access the Conflict of Interest Form available on the Policy & Documents Section of the HUH Compliance Department Information Portal.
📧 HUH_Compliance@huhosp.org
📞 1-800-654-0323 (Confidential Hotline)
📍 Compliance Office: 2041 Georgia Avenue, NW, Suite 2106
All disclosures will be reviewed by the Compliance Department. Identified conflicts will be managed, mitigated, or eliminated as appropriate.
At Howard University Hospital, we value partnerships that reflect our mission of excellence, equity, and integrity. Every interaction with a vendor must be guided by fairness, transparency, and compliance with HUH’s Procurement Standards.
Employees must never allow personal interests, gifts, or incentives to influence purchasing or contracting decisions. All vendor relationships must follow approved procurement channels, ensuring that products and services are selected based on quality, value, and alignment with patient care and organizational needs.
Engaging with vendors outside approved processes—or accepting personal benefits—can create conflicts of interest and violate compliance policies. When questions arise, staff should always consult the Procurement Office or Compliance Department before proceeding.
By maintaining ethical, compliant vendor relationships, we protect the integrity of our operations and uphold the public trust that defines Howard University Hospital.
At Howard University Hospital, adherence to Gifts, Meals, and Entertainment Guidelines ensures our actions remain ethical, transparent, and free from conflicts of interest. Employees must avoid accepting or offering anything of value that could influence—or appear to influence—business or clinical decisions.
Modest, infrequent meals directly related to legitimate hospital business may be permissible, but all gifts or entertainment from vendors, patients, or partners must comply with hospital policy and applicable laws. When in doubt, seek guidance from the Compliance Department before accepting or providing any item of value. Integrity and fairness protect our mission and reputation.