In this changing and challenging era for health care, the public’s trust and confidence in and respect for River Hospital requires the commitment of each of us to uphold standards of excellence and ethical behavior.

River Hospital is committed to doing the right thing. This not only means we are striving to comply with all legal responsibilities, but ethical responsibilities as well. There are core values that are part of corporate compliance and these include respect for all persons, integrity, service, excellence & trust. We all have a responsibility to everyone we come in contact with and our community to act in a manner consistent with this statement, the values & principles it expresses and its supporting policies.

River Hospital recognizes the problem that fraud and other deliberate or accidental misconduct in the health care industry pose to society. River Hospital seeks to eliminate misconduct through the Corporate Compliance Program. River Hospital is committed to maintaining an effective Corporate Compliance Program in accordance with applicable law and guidance from state and federal health care authorities. The provisions within this Compliance Plan have been developed to create an effective Corporate Compliance Program. This Compliance Program is designed to prevent errors or misconduct; to detect errors or misconduct if they occur; and to enhance the reputation of River Hospital and its employees as ethical providers of health care services. Service in health care is the highest calling. Integrity and trust are essential to our services. Our patients are entitled to rely on that trust. They are to be treated at all times with respect and dignity.

The Corporate Compliance Program at River Hospital is a mandatory, self-monitoring program to assure our compliance with all federal, state and local laws applicable to healthcare. The Corporate Compliance Program is required to:

• Oversee the activities of River Hospital and its employees with regard to compliance with laws, regulations, policies and code of conduct.
• Heighten awareness of compliance and ethical issues through education.
• Provide mechanisms for detection, correction, and prevention of improper conduct.
• Provide employees with avenues for addressing compliance and ethical issues.
• Regulations (Laws)
• Federal/State Government - Health & Human Health Services (HHS)
• Patient Protection and Affordability Care Act
• Deficit Reduction Act
• Social Security Act
• False Claims Act
• HIPAA
• EMTALA - "patient anti-dumping law"
• Public Health Law
• NYSDOH regulations

We deal with issues related to:

• Fraud and abuse–(Deficit Reduction Act, Social Security Act, False Claims Act)
• Regulatory standards and laws–Department of Health and DNV
• Billing and coding requirements
• HIPAA
• Medical necessity
• Patient documentation
• Information requests
• EMTALA–"patient anti-dumping law”
• Privacy

The Corporate Compliance Program applies to all members of the Board of Directors, administration, employees, volunteers, medical staff, agents, and vendors. Any shortcomings are to be reported to a supervisor, the Corporate Compliance Officer or the Chief Executive Officer so that they can be dealt with appropriately. If you have a question or concern, please call the Corporate Compliance Hotline at (315)-482-1190.

Natalie Oksen, Corporate Compliance Officer
T: 315. 482.1115
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

By Mail: Corporate Compliance Officer
River Hospital, 4 Fuller Street Alexandria Bay, NY 13607-0221

NYS OMIG: 1-877-873-7283 (toll-free)
DHHS-OIG: 1-800-447-8477 (toll-free)