Company: THC
Filing Date: 2025-02-18
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0000070318-25-000009
Chunk: 79

Company: TENET HEALTHCARE CORP
Filing Date: 2025-02-18
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1
Chunk 79
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 also continue to engage in contracting strategies that create shared value with payers and patients.

The market for our revenue cycle management services is also competitive. To be successful, we must respond more quickly and effectively than our competitors to new or changing opportunities, technologies, standards, regulations and client requirements.

HEALTHCARE REGULATION AND LICENSING

OVERVIEW

Like others in the healthcare industry, we are subject to an extensive and complex framework of government regulation at the federal, state and local levels. These legal and regulatory standards relate to, among other topics: ownership and operation of facilities and physician practices; licensure, certification and enrollment in government programs; the necessity and adequacy of medical care; quality of medical equipment and services; relationships with and qualifications of physicians and employees; operating conduct, policies and procedures; screening, stabilization and transfer of individuals who have emergency medical conditions; rate-setting, billing and coding for services; the preparation and filing of cost reports; the handling of overpayments; contractual arrangements; relationships with referral sources and referral recipients; privacy and security; maintenance of adequate records; construction, acquisition, expansion and closure of healthcare facilities or services; environmental protection; compliance with fire prevention and building codes; debt collection; and communications with patients and consumers. In addition, various permits are required to dispense narcotics, operate pharmacies, handle radioactive materials and operate certain equipment. Our facilities are also subject to periodic inspection by governmental and other authorities to determine their compliance with applicable regulations, as well as the standards necessary for licensing and accreditation.

We believe that our healthcare facilities hold all required governmental approvals, licenses and permits material to the operation of their business. Furthermore, we have extensive policies and procedures in place to facilitate compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations; however, these policies and procedures cannot ensure compliance in every case. Moreover, as discussed in greater detail below, government regulations often change, and we may have to make adjustments to our facilities, equipment, personnel and services to remain in compliance.

The potential consequences for failing to comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations include (1) required refunds of previously received government program payments, (2) the assessment of civil monetary penalties, including treble damages, (3) fines, which could be significant, (4) exclusion from participation in federal healthcare programs and (5) criminal sanctions, including sanctions against current or former employees. Our Medicare and Medicaid payments may be suspended pending even an investigation of what the government determines to be a credible allegation of fraud. Any of the