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 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.
Code of Conduct
A policy outlining the standard of conduct is circulated to each employee.
Conflict of Interest
All 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
Employees shall refrain from conduct, which may violate the fraud and abuse laws. 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
Supervisors, managers or employees are not permitted to engage in retaliation, retribution or any form of harassment directed against an employee who reports a Compliance concern. Any manager, supervisor or employee 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 contact our confidential hotline and or compliance email office with any questions.
Hotline Phone: 845-215-1013
Email: compliance@bridgesrc.org
Please note, both the hotline and email is monitored by BRIDGES Compliance Officer and all reports are anonymous.
