No Budget? No Problem: Creative Ways to Strengthen FWA Training this Holiday Season
No Budget? No Problem:
Creative Ways to Strengthen FWA Training this Holiday Season
As the year winds down and the holidays approach, it is a good time to reflect on the gifts we give our teams, not just in presents, but in knowledge, skills, and growth. One of the biggest takeaways from the survey we conducted at the NHCAA’s Annual Training Conference (ATC) this year was clear:
Yet many organizations face the all-too-familiar reality of limited training budgets, competing priorities, and the challenge of keeping staff current on evolving fraud schemes and regulatory expectations.
But don’t fret! Like a holiday hack for stretching a budget, effective training does not have to be expensive. Some of the most meaningful learning comes from creative, informal, and easily accessible resources that require little to no financial investment. Trust us, no matter how long someone has been in the FWA space, there is always something new to unwrap.
Below are practical, budget-friendly strategies to help strengthen your team’s knowledge and reinforce the fundamentals of FWA prevention, detection, and investigation; perfect for a holiday season focused on growth and giving.
THE GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE: LEARN FROM THOSE AROUND YOU
FWA teams bring diverse backgrounds and investigative styles and sharing that knowledge can spark fresh insights across the group. Encourage peer-to-peer demos of investigative techniques, walkthroughs of case development approaches, and mini-sessions on open-source search strategies or documentation tips.
Supervisors should also keep teams in the loop about feedback received from state and federal partners, including insights on referrals, contractual or regulatory updates, and noteworthy investigative findings.
These informal learning exchanges are like little holiday surprises; unexpected insights that expand team knowledge, reinforce consistency, and help newer staff build confidence quickly.
We regularly share practical tips and tricks; small, meaningful insights that often lead to “a-ha” moments. Think of them as festive little presents that make a big impact on efficiency and effectiveness. Encourage staff to unwrap knowledge from one another during the holiday season and throughout the year!
SHARPEN YOUR ANALYTICS: DECK THE HALLS WITH EXCEL SKILLS
Strong analytics are foundational to identifying patterns, anomalies, and potential fraud signals. Luckily, improving Excel skills does not require a fancy training program, but rather a few free resources.
YouTube, for instance, is filled with tutorials that teach pivot tables, conditional formatting, data cleansing techniques, and many other skills that unwrap cleaner, clearer data. Even brief, consistent practice can help investigators steadily sharpen their skills, spot trends, uncover red flags, and sleigh through data efficiently.
STAY CURRENT: FREE WEBINARS AND ONLINE LEARNING
Like holiday lights guiding your way, free webinars can illuminate trends and best practices in healthcare FWA. Professional associations, nonprofits, and government agencies host sessions on emerging fraud schemes, enforcement priorities, and investigative strategies. Regular participation keeps staff informed, engaged, and ready for the challenges ahead.
Courses in compliance, fraud examination, data analysis, and leadership help your team build skills that feel like a gift they can use year-round. Even one course per quarter can strengthen your program and give staff a sense of accomplishment: like opening the perfect present.
ENGAGE WITH THE BROADER FWA COMMUNITY
Local ACFE chapters offer affordable (and often free) opportunities to learn from professionals outside your organization. Events, networking opportunities, and case presentations provide a festive mix of education and collaboration. Staff who participate gain insight into cross-industry trends while enjoying the support of anti-fraud community.
Professional associations like AAPC are another valuable resource. Their webinars, coding updates, compliance insights, and specialty training help investigators strengthen their understanding of documentation standards and provider billing practices. It is a great way to boost investigative confidence while staying ahead of emerging risks.
Reading is also a gift that keeps on giving. Encourage staff to review OIG and DOJ alerts, enforcement actions, industry publications, and healthcare news. Staying informed ensures your team is prepared for evolving schemes, helping them “unwrap” potential risks before they grow.
CONFERENCES COUNT: DELIVER HOLIDAY CHEER
Attending the NHCAA ATC Conference or other industry events is like finding a stocking full of valuable insights. The best learning often occurs in informal settings: conversations with peers tackling similar FWA challenges, Q&A exchanges with presenters, and exploring emerging fraud prevention technologies. Presenters often share real-world examples not found in slides, providing takeaways your team can immediately apply.
Have team members return and share their “gifts” in a recap session. Even a short 30-minute meeting can spread knowledge throughout the team, making your FWA program stronger and brighter for the new year.
READY TO TRAIN SMARTER, NOT MORE EXPENSIVELY
As the year comes to a close, it is the perfect time to give your team the gift of knowledge, skills, and confidence. Training does not have to come with a high price tag. By leveraging peer learning, free digital tools, online courses, and community resources, your team can stay sharp and prepared for the challenges of the new year.
Here’s a quick holiday-ready checklist:
Whether your budget is big or small, these strategies help your team remain confident, capable, and ready to tackle fraud, waste, and abuse in the new year. After all, the best gift of all is a team that keeps your program strong, compliant, and effective.
INTEGRITY ADVANTAGE IS HERE TO HELP
Whether you’re evaluating your FWA program, refining investigative processes, or building a more efficient operational model, Integrity Advantage partners with you to align people, processes, and purpose; turning insights into measurable outcomes. If you’d like help developing targeted training materials or custom FWA learning sessions, we’re here to support you; consider us part of your holiday team cheer! We bring expertise, practical solutions, and a collaborative approach to help your team stay sharp and effective, now and throughout the new year.
Integrity Advantage is a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) and Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business (EDWOSB).
With more than 30 years of experience supporting payers, the team at Integrity Advantage provides healthcare fraud, waste and abuse consulting, outsourced investigations and medical record reviews for Special Investigations Units and other organizations fighting healthcare fraud. We are a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) and an Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business (EDWOSB).
For more information click below, call us at 866-644-7799 or email info@integrityadvantage.com.