workplace conduct and employment practicesĪll employees and representatives of LHC Group are required to conduct themselves in a way that supports the highest standards of ethics and integrity and to follow the standards set forth in our code of conduct and ethics and our policies and procedures without exception.Īll new employees and new contractors - and all employees and contractors on an annual basis -must attend a one-hour orientation on the LHC Group corporate compliance and ethics program.The business practices that are addressed in the code include, but are not limited to: The standards set forth in the code are mandatory and should be applied both in letter and in spirit. The code of conduct and ethics includes the potential consequences to both LHC Group and our employees for failure to comply with all statutes, regulations and guidelines applicable to federal and state healthcare programs. It is a critical component of our overall compliance and ethics program and is an important resource - especially in situations where questions may arise about determining the right thing to do. The code of conduct and ethics was developed to help ensure we meet our ethical standards and comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations. Our code of conduct and ethics provides guidance to all LHC Group employees, contractors and board members on carrying out daily activities within appropriate ethical and legal standards. In addition, we have also established extensive policies and guidelines anchored around privacy and security and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Halt Act (the HITECH Act), and HIPAA regulations for our patients, employees and business associates. Immediate response to and the investigation of possible violations of the Code of Conduct and Ethics, compliance policies and procedures and applicable laws, rules or regulations, as well as appropriate corrective action initiatives and consistent discipline for any violations that have occurred.Performance of regular compliance audits and evaluation techniques, internally and externally, to monitor compliance with relevant healthcare standards and regulations.A system to respond to allegations of improper activities and to consistently enforce appropriate disciplinary action for non-compliance.Development of an anonymous third-party compliance hotline and website, the IntegrityLine, for employees to communicate with the chief compliance officer to report potential violations or ask questions.Regular and effective training and education, which addresses the various components of the compliance and ethics program and effectively communicates LHC Group’s standards and procedures.
Designation of a chief compliance officer, who is responsible for overseeing and monitoring the compliance and ethics program, and a compliance committee that advises the chief compliance officer and assists in the execution of the compliance and ethics program.Development, distribution and routine review and update of the Code of Conduct and Ethics, as well as policies and procedures that promote LHC Group’s commitment to compliance and ethic and address specific areas of risk to the organization.To follow the OIG guidelines, we have developed a compliance and ethics program that consists of the following elements: Response and prevention: prompt response to detected offenses.
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