Compliance officer

Individual overseeing a facility’s or medical practice’s compliance program who plans, implements, and monitors the program with a staff trained to perform activities that comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rules.

Compliance program

A management plan adopted by a medical practice or facility that is composed of policies and procedures to accomplish uniformity, consistency, and conformity in medical recordkeeping that fulfills official HIPAA requirements. It fosters prevention of fraudulent activities by the development of internal controls.

Complication

Disease or condition arising during the course of, or as a result of, another disease, modifying medical care requirements; for diagnosis-related groups (DRGs), a condition that arises during the hospital stay that prolongs the length of stay by at least 1 day in approximately 75% of cases. Also known as substantial complication.

Component code

1. The portion of a service described before the semicolon (;) of a CPT comprehensive code, together with the portion of a service described by the indented (component) code. 2. Under the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI), a CCI file known as component edits lists pairs of codes considered an integral part of the main surgical service provided or a component of a more comprehensive procedure. When billing a Medicare case, a component code that follows a comprehensive code cannot be charged to Medicare if the comprehensive code is billed.

Component coding

Standardizing method that allows a physician to list a code, regardless of specialty, that specifically identifies whether the procedural component, the radiological component, or both aspects of the service was provided.

Composite rate

1. Flat or standard rate charged to all enrollees of a managed care plan in a particular group regardless of whether they are enrolled for single or family coverage. 2. Phrase that describes the average unit cost per employee covered. 3. In the Medicare program, this system is one of two methods of payment for dialysis services rendered in the patient’s home. Payment does not include the physician’s professional services, separately billable laboratory services, and separately billable drugs.
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A special single rate based upon a measure of exposure which reasonably reflects the variations in the insurable hazards covered for a particular insured. Bases of exposure to which the composite rate is applied include but are not limited to pay roll, sales, receipts and contract cost.

Comprehensive

MEDICAL,USA: 1. Term used to describe a level of history and/or physical examination. 2. When an audit is taking place, term that indicates a general multisystem examination (eight or more organ systems or complete examination of a single organ system).
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A loosely used term signifying broad or extensive coverage of insurance.
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UK: A term describing a policy with a number of different types of cover in one document (e.g. a private car comprehensive policy has sections providing material damage cover, third party cover, personal accident cover, medical expenses, etc.).