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CORPORATE
COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
The Ohio Physical Therapy Network, Inc. ("Network”) is
committed to conducting its business in a manner that complies with the law.
Through the efforts of its dedicated employees and it's Independent Member
Clinics ("Members"), the Network can meet the challenges of contracting for, and
overseeing, the provision of quality rehabilitation services in full compliance
with the law.
Although each individual is charged with the responsibility of conducting his or
her work with integrity and in compliance with all applicable laws, the Network
is committed to maintaining a working environment that promotes these ideals.
Accordingly, the Board has determined that the Network should implement a formal
Corporate Compliance Program concerning the Network's operations.
The Board of Director's action in directing and approving such action is not
based on any concern that the Network's present operational and management
systems are inadequate, rather, the Board's decision is based on two factors.
First, the development and implementation of a formal Corporate Compliance
Program is part of the Network's continuing effort to improve quality and
performance. Second, various governmental agencies responsible for enforcement
of Medicare and Medicaid laws and regulations have strongly encouraged all
HealthCare providers put such programs in place.
The Board of Directors acknowledges that the Network provides its services
through its employees and through its independent therapy providers. Some duties
under this compliance plan apply to the Network and its employees and others
apply to the Network's Members. The Network's Member compliance provisions
relate primarily to those general undertakings entered into by Members through
their Provider Participation Agreements, namely: quality of therapy services,
patient satisfaction, peer review, required documentation, licensing, continuing
education, adequacy of facilities and personnel, and confidentiality. This plan
is not intended to apply to the internal operations of the Members. The Members
are encouraged to develop their own internal compliance program to help it
comply with the duties set forth below. The Compliance Program makes it clear
which items apply to the Network and/or its employees, which apply to Members
and which apply to both.
WHEREFORE, be it resolved on this date
1. The Board of Directors is directed to dedicate adequate
resources toward development of an effective Corporate Compliance Program.
2. The Corporate Compliance Program will meet or exceed the
elements of an effective compliance program and will:
A. Establish compliance standards and procedures for
Network employees and Members employees reasonably capable of reducing the
prospect of wrongful conduct;
B. Appoint specific, high-level individuals with overall
responsibility to oversee compliance;
C. Exercise due care not to delegate substantial
discretionary authority to individuals with a propensity to engage in
unlawful activities;
D. Take reasonable steps to communicate effectively the
compliance standards and procedures to all Network employees and Members;
E. Take reasonable steps to achieve compliance by
utilizing monitoring and auditing systems;
F. Establish a reporting system so that Network employees
and Members can report perceived wrongful conduct by others within the
organization without fear of retribution;
G. Consistently enforce its standards through appropriate
disciplinary mechanisms, including, discipline of individuals for failure to
detect non- compliance; and
F. Respond appropriately to compliance violations.
The Board of Directors recognizes that the development and implementation of
such a program is an ongoing and challenging undertaking. The executive director
is directed to proceed in phases, but the executive director should make steady
progress toward the creation and implementation of specific standards and
systems. The executive director shall provide periodic progress reports to the
Board of Directors.
No set of policies and procedures can be crafted to cover every potential
situation that Network employees and Members might face in day-to-day conduct of
the Networks operations. The policies set forth in this plan are written in
broad terms and are intended to serve as guidelines for situations that Network
employees and Members may encounter. Nonetheless, situations may arise that are
not addressed by this plan or which raise questions as to the appropriate
application of legal or regulatory requirements or Network policies to proposed
conduct.
Network employees and Members are encouraged to ask any questions that they may
have and, in fact, have a duty to keep asking questions until they are
satisfactorily answered. A Network employee or Member may ask questions of his
or her supervisor or to the Network’s Board of Directors.
Network employees and Members may not engage in conduct that violates applicable
legal requirements or Network policies even if instructed to do so by their
superiors, and will be deemed in violation of Network policy and subject to
discipline if they do so. If a Network employee or Member ever questions whether
a superior’s orders violate applicable laws or policies, the Ethics and
Compliance Officer should be contacted immediately. Network employees and
Members who have a question whether certain conduct might violate legal
requirements or the Network’s policies should refrain from taking any
questionable action and promptly consult with their supervisor.
Network employees and Members are not expected to have expert knowledge of all
various legal and regulatory requirements that may apply to their activities.
However, they should be sensitive to legal and ethical issues and the
application of the Network’s policies to their conduct and to know enough to ask
questions before engaging in any questionable conduct. When in doubt, the right
course is to raise questions with appropriate senior personnel before taking any
questionable action.
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