Policy Statements
Corporate Compliance
The mission of Addison County Home Health & Hospice, Inc., a nonprofit agency, is to provide high quality, comprehensive community health care to residents of Addison County. Quality patient care occurs through thoughtful, deliberate planning by clinicians using a well-defined body of knowledge and established standards of practice. Standards of practice are determined by Addison County Home Health & Hospice, Inc. and by each discipline's national professional organization.
In addition to excellence in clinical practice, the Agency is committed to maintaining full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations established by the state and federal government. As a healthcare provider, the Agency must meet the Conditions of Participation established by the federal government before providing services to and billing for Medicare and/or Medicaid patients. The reputation of the Agency since its inception in 1968 has been based upon honesty and integrity. It is the intent of Addison County Home Health & Hospice, Inc. to continue to maintain these values by holding all employees to the highest ethical standards.
While the Agency is small in size, the continued commitment to excellence and compliance remains central to the basic philosophy of the staff. In order to assist all individuals associated with the Agency, whether employees, members of the Board of Directors, contractors, or volunteers, the following Corporate Compliance Program is presented.
In addition to excellence in clinical practice, the Agency is committed to maintaining full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations established by the state and federal government. As a healthcare provider, the Agency must meet the Conditions of Participation established by the federal government before providing services to and billing for Medicare and/or Medicaid patients. The reputation of the Agency since its inception in 1968 has been based upon honesty and integrity. It is the intent of Addison County Home Health & Hospice, Inc. to continue to maintain these values by holding all employees to the highest ethical standards.
While the Agency is small in size, the continued commitment to excellence and compliance remains central to the basic philosophy of the staff. In order to assist all individuals associated with the Agency, whether employees, members of the Board of Directors, contractors, or volunteers, the following Corporate Compliance Program is presented.
Leadership Statement
While all of the Agency staff are expected to follow the agency Code of Conduct, we expect our leaders to set the example and be a model in every aspect. Management will ensure that those they supervise have sufficient information to comply with laws, regulations and policies and are given the resources and support to resolve ethical dilemmas. They will help to create a culture within the Agency that promoted the highest standards of ethics and compliance that encourages everyone to share concerns should they arise.
The Corporate Compliance Program exists to provide all employees, associates and agents an understanding of the Agency's commitment to adhering to all federal and state laws and regulations. It also provides employees, associates and agents the means to help ensure the compliance to these laws and an understanding of the ramifications of violating the law.
The Addison County Home Health & Hospice Compliance Program Goals are as follows:
A Corporate Compliance Program, as defined by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), is a system of internal policies, controls and procedures that promotes adherence to statutes and regulations governing government health programs and minimizes the risk of civil and criminal penalties, or administrative sanctions.
The Corporate Compliance Program exists to provide all employees, associates and agents an understanding of the Agency's commitment to adhering to all federal and state laws and regulations. It also provides employees, associates and agents the means to help ensure the compliance to these laws and an understanding of the ramifications of violating the law.
The Addison County Home Health & Hospice Compliance Program Goals are as follows:
- Maintain a work environment in which honesty and integrity continue to be valued.
- Provide employees with appropriate information regarding compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
- Provide a document, which outlines the components of the program and serves as a reference to all employees.
- Provide an open environment in which employees may raise compliance issues.
- Maintain and enhance effective audit systems.
A Corporate Compliance Program, as defined by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), is a system of internal policies, controls and procedures that promotes adherence to statutes and regulations governing government health programs and minimizes the risk of civil and criminal penalties, or administrative sanctions.
Protection from Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation
Abuse, neglect and exploitation of a vulnerable adult is unlawful.
Vermont State statute requires all health care practitioners to report adult or child abuse, neglect or exploitation. Abuse or exploitation may also be reported by a patient or a family member. State statutes provide immunity from liability or retribution when reporting abuse or neglect.
Abuse is defined as any action that threatens a vulnerable adult's physical or emotional health or welfare. Example: Unnecessary or unlawful restraint of a vulnerable adult.
Neglect is defined as purposeful or reckless failure of a caregiver to provide adequate care to a vulnerable adult.
Example: Failure to report a significant change in the health status of a vulnerable adult.
Exploitation is defined as the misuse of a vulnerable adult's money or property.
Example: Willfully using, withholding, transferring or disposing of funds or property of a vulnerable adult.
Individuals found guilty of abusing, neglecting, or exploiting a vulnerable adult can face a range of consequences, including:
Vermont State statute requires all health care practitioners to report adult or child abuse, neglect or exploitation. Abuse or exploitation may also be reported by a patient or a family member. State statutes provide immunity from liability or retribution when reporting abuse or neglect.
Abuse is defined as any action that threatens a vulnerable adult's physical or emotional health or welfare. Example: Unnecessary or unlawful restraint of a vulnerable adult.
Neglect is defined as purposeful or reckless failure of a caregiver to provide adequate care to a vulnerable adult.
Example: Failure to report a significant change in the health status of a vulnerable adult.
Exploitation is defined as the misuse of a vulnerable adult's money or property.
Example: Willfully using, withholding, transferring or disposing of funds or property of a vulnerable adult.
Individuals found guilty of abusing, neglecting, or exploiting a vulnerable adult can face a range of consequences, including:
- loss of employment
- loss of profession license
- fines up to $10,000 and/or a prison sentence up to 25 years
Reporting Suspected Abuse
To make a report, you may contact Deborah Wesley, Executive Director and VP of Clinical Services, Addison County Home Health and Hospice, Inc. at 802-388-7259 and she will assist you in the process.
Reports may also be made to the State of Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) by contacting the Division of Licensing and Protection, Adult Protective Services (APS) at 1-800-564-1612 or by writing to the division at 103 South Main Street, Ladd Building, Waterbury, VT 05671-2306.
Reports may also be made to the State of Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) by contacting the Division of Licensing and Protection, Adult Protective Services (APS) at 1-800-564-1612 or by writing to the division at 103 South Main Street, Ladd Building, Waterbury, VT 05671-2306.