Developing an Internal Risk Audit Process in Home Health Care Organizations

To meet the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General’s Compliance Standards and maintain certification, home health care organizations must now implement annual internal risk audits. This article explores what an internal risk audit is and how it can be used by providers to enhance their ability to meet effectiveness standards and achieve stated objectives. This exploration consists of understanding the definition of an internal risk audit, what is involved in risk assessment, what types of risk should be the focus of home health care, the role of the internal risk audit in supporting organizational operations, and how the board and senior management staff need to contribute to the internal risk audit. In order to implement an annual internal risk audit, it is also imperative to understand how the organizational culture can impact internal risk audit controls.