Top 3 Compliance Takeaways from the 2025 HCCA Compliance Institute: A TimeSmart.AI Perspective

The 29th Annual HCCA Compliance Institute, held from April 28 to May 1, 2025, at the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, brought together healthcare compliance professionals to discuss pressing issues in the industry. TimeSmart.AI had the opportunity to attend and gain insights into the evolving landscape of physician arrangements, payments, and contract compliance. 

Here are our top three takeaways from the conference:

1. Enhanced Scrutiny on Fair Market Value and Commercial Reasonableness

A significant focus at the conference was the heightened enforcement of Fair Market Value (FMV) and commercial reasonableness in physician compensation arrangements. Bob Wade, a seasoned healthcare attorney, emphasized the importance of thoroughly documenting and justifying physician compensation to withstand regulatory scrutiny. He highlighted that inadequate documentation could lead to violations of the Stark Law and the Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS), resulting in substantial penalties (Nelson Mullins).

For organizations, this underscores the necessity of implementing robust systems to ensure that physician payments align with FMV and are commercially reasonable. TimeSmart.AI‘s healthcare payment processing software facilitates this by providing tools to document, monitor, and audit physician arrangements effectively in order to build defensibility into the process from day one.

2. Integration of Compliance in Value-Based Care Models

The shift towards value-based care models has introduced complexities in maintaining healthcare contract compliance, particularly concerning physician arrangements. Speakers at the conference discussed the challenges of structuring compensation models that incentivize quality care without violating regulatory statutes. The integration of compliance considerations into the design of these models is crucial to avoid inadvertent breaches of the Stark Law or AKS.

TimeSmart.AI assists healthcare organizations in navigating these complexities by offering solutions that align physician compensation with value-based care objectives while ensuring compliance with federal regulations, helping organizations avoid pitfalls while staying focused on patient outcomes. You may like to know about how clinician payment tracking tools are used for contract compliance.

3. Importance of Proactive Contract Management and Monitoring

Effective contract management emerged as a critical component in maintaining compliance. The conference highlighted the risks associated with inadequate oversight of physician contracts, including potential overpayments and violations of regulatory requirements. Implementing proactive monitoring systems can help detect and address compliance issues before they escalate.

TimeSmart.AI’s platform enables organizations to manage contracts efficiently, providing real-time monitoring and alerts to ensure adherence to contractual terms and regulatory standards. Automation also allows for less manual oversight while maintaining a clear audit trail for internal and external review.

Final Thoughts

The 2025 HCCA Compliance Institute reinforced what many of us in healthcare compliance already know: documentation, defensibility, and operational alignment are more important than ever. Whether it’s aligning physician payments to FMV, staying compliant with evolving value-based care models, or managing contracts with precision, healthcare organizations need modern tools that meet today’s regulatory expectations.

TimeSmart.AI is proud to be part of a growing ecosystem of solutions focused on simplifying compliance while reducing administrative burden. As enforcement continues to intensify and expectations evolve, we look forward to partnering with compliance teams across the country to ensure they’re not only prepared but also proactive.

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