Diane K Pledgie

Dianne K. Pledgie is a Partner and Compliance Counsel with the firm’s Health Law practice group. Dianne advises health centers on implementing effective compliance programs and addressing top compliance risk areas. She develops and manages the array of compliance resources offered through the firm’s learning website, learning.ftlf.com. A former Compliance Officer at a health center, Dianne understands the challenges that health centers face in achieving and maintaining compliance.

Dianne counsels health centers and other organizations on developing compliance programs that include the OIG’s seven elements, respond to identified compliance risk areas and reflect the organization’s culture. Often, this work starts with assessing the current compliance program, building a work plan that targets identified gaps, and supporting the organization in implementing a proactive compliance program.

Dianne also advises health centers and other organizations on patient privacy and confidentiality, including the HIPAA Privacy Rule and 42 CFR Part 2. She has experience responding to privacy and security incidents, including determining whether there has been a breach, notifying patients and the government, and creating corrective action plans. Dianne has also counseled clients in responding to investigations by the Office of Civil Rights (OCR), which enforces the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules.

Dianne is well-versed in the compliance issues facing health centers because of her experience as Chief Compliance Officer and Manager of Government Grants for Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, one of the largest health center programs in the country. She implemented a compliance program which addressed federal and state grant requirements (Section 330, Ryan White, Department of Public Health), the FTCA and risk management activities, and HIPAA and state privacy requirements. She led internal investigations, oversaw internal and external audits, developed internal policies and procedures, and conducted annual and new employee training.

Ms. Pledgie is a member of the New York and Massachusetts Bars and is not licensed in Washington, DC. Her practice is limited to federal health care matters.