BRIDGES implements all programs, services, and administrative supports in accordance with federal, state and local laws, professional standards, applicable federally funded health care program regulations and policies and with honesty, fairness and integrity. Employees and or all affected individuals (including, Board members, Volunteers, Contractors and any other agents or member operating on behalf of BRIDGES) should perform their duties in good faith, in a manner that he or she reasonably believes to be in the best interest of the agency and its consumers/people served and with the same care that a reasonably prudent person in the same position would use under similar circumstances. A number of policies or standards of conduct have been adopted by the agency.
Click HERE for the full Policies & Procedures Manual, including the Compliance Plan & Code of Conduct and Employee Handbook.
Code of Conduct
A policy outlining the standard of conduct is circulated to affected individuals.
Conflict of Interest
All affected individuals including members of the Board of Directors, Governing Body/Management Team and staff sign a Conflict of Interest Statement. Board members and management personnel will disclose any existing or potential conflicts of interest.
Confidentiality of Information
A consumer’s record is the property of the agency and shall be maintained to serve the consumer and communicate with necessary providers as cleared and consented by the consumer. All consumer services information is regarded as confidential.
Fraud and Abuse
Affected individuals shall refrain from conduct, which may violate fraud and abuse laws. See Compliance & Code of Conduct manual for detailed statutes and regulations. These laws prohibit:
- Direct, indirect or disguised payments in exchange for the referral of consumers
- Submission of false, fraudulent or misleading claims to any government entity or third party payer, including claims for services not rendered, claims which characterize the service differently than the service actually rendered or claims which do not otherwise comply with applicable program or contractual requirements; and
- Making false representations to any person or entity in order to gain or retain participation in a program or to obtain payment or excessive payment for any service.
Financial Reporting
All financial reports, accounting records, research reports, expense accounts, time sheets and other documents must accurately and clearly represent the relevant facts or the true nature of a transaction. Improper or fraudulent accounting, documentation or financial reporting is not only contrary to agency policy, it may be in violation of applicable laws. Sufficient and competent evidential matter or documentation shall support all cost reports.
Non-Retaliation and Non-Retribution for Reporting
No one is permitted to engage in retaliation, retribution or any form of harassment directed against an employee or any other related individual under the regulations, who reports a Compliance concern. Any employee, including members of the leadership team or Board who engages in retribution, retaliation or harassment against a reporting employee is subject to discipline up to and including dismissal on first offense. Employees have the responsibility to report, in good faith, concerns about actual or potential wrongdoing.
Please use our confidential hotline or email address with any questions or to report your concern.
Please note, both the hotline and email are monitored by BRIDGES Compliance Officer and all reports are anonymous.
