Code of Ethics Including the Reporting of Fraud, Waste and Misuse of Resources

CODE OF ETHICS

  1. CCC complies with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations related to its operation as a health care provider, employer and nonprofit corporation.
  2. CCC provides program services, employment and volunteer opportunities without regard to age, ethnicity, disability, culture, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status.
  3. CCC supports the right of individuals with disabilities to self-determination and choice, particularly their right to accept or refuse services.
  4. CCC respects the beliefs and values of program participants, employees or volunteers from diverse backgrounds and does not tolerate harassment or discrimination in the workplace.
  5. CCC maintains business, personnel and program records that are accurate and complete, and protects the security, integrity, and confidentiality of the information those records contain.
  6. CCC promotes the health, safety and welfare of program participants, employees and volunteers.
  7. CCC uses its resources and assets prudently, protecting them from misuse, damage, theft or loss.
  8. CCC employees, directors and volunteers avoid situations where an actual or perceived conflict of interest exists and immediately discloses such situations when they are discovered.
  9. CCC employees, directors, and volunteers do not offer or accept improper gifts including goods, services or entertainment.
  10. CCC maintains a culture that promotes the prevention, detection and resolution of instances of conduct that do not conform to federal or state law or to other healthcare or funding source requirements.

Community Care Connections, Inc. Board of Directors
Approved: March 27, 2013
Updated: June 15, 2017

REPORTING FRAUD, WASTE, MISUSE OF RESOURCES OR OTHER ETHICAL, LEGAL OR FINANCIAL INTEGRITY CONCERNS:

Any person may openly or anonymously report any ethical concern or question, or any potential or actual legal or financial violation including fraud, waste, and misuse of resources, or accounting, auditing or record-keeping matters to the Compliance Officer. For reports that are not made anonymously, confidentiality will be maintained to the extent possible while permitting an appropriate investigation.

Reports may be made in person to the Compliance Officer or by the following methods:

Regular mail:

Community Care Connections, Inc.
114 Skyline Drive
Butler, PA 16001
Attention: Compliance Officer

Compliance Hotline: 1-855-619-2681

Fax: 724-283-7039
Attention: Compliance Officer

Reports of suspected noncompliance by the Executive Director, who is Community Care Connections, Inc. Compliance Officer can be made to the President of the CCC Board of Directors via regular mail at:

Community Care Connections, Inc., Inc.
114 Skyline Drive, Butler, PA 16001
Attention: Board President

Your responsibilities:

Every CCC employee, board member or other volunteer has the personal responsibility to:

  • Read, know and comply with the Community Care Connections, Inc. Code of Ethics. This is a condition of employment or volunteer service with the organization. Violating or ignoring these principles will result in discipline up to and including termination.
  • Bring to the CCC Compliance Officer or the CCC Board of Directors Compliance Committee any activity that in your judgment violates these principles.

Terms of Use

 Please take note of the following Community Care Connections, Inc. Terms of Use as to the information, services, products, messages and other materials provided on this Community Care Connections, Inc. World Wide Web Site (the “CCC Web Site.”)

  1. Community Care Connections, Inc., its agents and representatives make no representations with respect to the content of this CCC Web Site and specifically disclaim any other warranties, including but not limited to implied or express warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular usage, application or purpose.
  2. The information, services, products, messages and other materials contained on this CCC Web Site, individually and collectively, are provided for educational and informational purposes only and are not a substitute for medical advice and treatment.
  3. The information, services, products, messages and other materials on this CCC Web Site, individually and collectively, are provided with the understanding that Community Care Connections, Inc. is not engaged in rendering medical advice or recommendations.
  4. The information, services, products, messages and other materials provided on this CCC Web Site, individually and collectively, are not a substitute for your consultation with qualified physicians and other health care professionals regarding your individual needs.
  5. We encourage you to take note of the signature date provided at the end of the text of the documents contained on the CCC Web Site because ongoing advancements in scientific, medical, healthcare, technology and other related fields may outdate or alter the overall usefulness and accuracy of the information, services, products, messages and other material we have made available to you on this CCC Web Site. As you view those CCC Web Site documents, please take their signature dates into consideration.
  6. CCC Web Site links and referrals to other Web sites, publications or information resources do not constitute the endorsement of those Web sites or resources by Community Care Connections, Inc., its agents or representatives. Community Care Connections, Inc. makes no representations or claims as to the quality, content and accuracy of the information, services, products, or messages which may be provided by such resources, and specifically disclaims any warranties, including but not limited to implied or express warranties of merchantability or fitness for any particular usage, application or purpose.
  7. The unauthorized alteration of the content of this CCC Web Site is expressly prohibited. Community Care Connections, Inc., its agents and its representatives shall not be responsible for any claims, actions, or damages which may arise on account of the unauthorized alteration of this CCC Web Site.
  8. The individual documents provided on this CCC Web Site may be downloaded for personal use only. Permission to otherwise reprint, copy, electronically reproduce, or utilize any document on this CCC Web Site, in part or in whole is expressly prohibited unless prior written consent is obtained from Community Care Connections, Inc. In order to obtain consent, please contact Community Care Connections, Inc. at (724) 283-3198 or write to Community Care Connections, Inc., 114 Skyline Drive, Butler, PA 16001.

The compilation of information and materials on this CCC Web Site, including the design, graphics and organization of the database may not be reprinted or electronically reproduced.

  1. Unauthorized individuals, institutions and other entities may not act on behalf of Community Care Connections, Inc. use its property or solicit contributions without authorization from Community Care Connections, Inc. Should you have any questions concerning Community Care Connections, Inc. authorizations, please feel free to contact Community Care Connections, Inc. at (724) 283-3198 or write to Community Care Connections, Inc., 114 Skyline Drive, Butler, PA 16001.

A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by telephone, toll-free from Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0900. (Registration does not imply endorsement.)

Copyright 2006 Community Care Connections, Inc. All rights reserved. Community Care Connections, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). Our mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with special needs.

NOTICE OF PRIVACY PRACTICES

THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES HOW MEDICAL INFORMATION ABOUT YOU MAY BE USED AND DISCLOSED AND HOW YOU CAN GET ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.

PLEASE REVIEW IT CAREFULLY.

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) requires Community Care Connections, Inc. to protect the privacy of your “protected health information” (PHI). PHI includes information that we have created, received, maintained, or transmitted regarding your health or payment for health care services you have received. It includes both your medical records and personal information such as your name, social security number, address, and phone number. PHI also includes genetic information about you or a family member such as genetic tests, manifestations of a disease or disorder, or requests for (or the receipt of) genetic services or participation in clinical research which includes genetic services.

HIPAA requires Community Care Connections, Inc. to maintain the privacy of your PHI. This Notice is intended to inform you of Community Care Connections, Inc. legal obligations under HIPAA and related regulation to:

  • Protect the privacy of your PHI;
  • Provide you with this Notice explaining our duties and practices regarding your PHI;
  • Comply with the terms of this Notice.

This Notice also informs you about how Community Care Connections, Inc. uses and discloses your PHI and explains the rights that you have with regard to the PHI that Community Care Connections, Inc. maintains about you.

In some situations, federal and state laws provide privacy protections to your PHI in addition to HIPAA. Examples of PHI that sometimes receives additional protection include PHI related to mental health, HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, or chemical dependency. Community Care Connections, Inc. may refuse to disclose such PHI, or Community Care Connections, Inc. may contact you to obtain an express written authorization before disclosing it.

Community Care Connections, Inc. is required to abide by the terms of this Notice. However, Community Care Connections, Inc. reserves the right to make changes to this Notice and to make such changes effective for all PHI Community Care Connections, Inc. may already have about you. If and when a material change is made to this Notice, Community Care Connections, Inc. will post the revised Notice on our public web site at www.communitycareconnect.org and at Community Care Connections, Inc. branches.

Community Care Connections, Inc. USES AND DISCLOSURES OF YOUR PHI

Uses and Disclosures for Treatment, Payment, and Health Care Operations

For Treatment Community Care Connections, Inc. may use or disclose your PHI for treatment without obtaining your authorization. For example, Community Care Connections, Inc. may disclose your PHI to our physicians, nurses, counselors, and others involved in your care; our staff to coordinate such activities as referrals or appointments; or other health care providers treating you who are not on our staff such as emergency room staff and specialists.

For Payment: Community Care Connections, Inc. may use or disclose PHI to obtain payment for the services we have provided to you without obtaining your authorization. For example, Community Care Connections, Inc. may use and disclose your PHI to bill your health insurer or you for the care we provide. Community Care Connections, Inc. may also disclose your PHI to other organizations and providers for their payment activities without your authorization unless disclosure is prohibited by law.

For Health Care Operations: Community Care Connections, Inc. may use and disclose your PHI to enable us to operate efficiently and in the best interests of our clients without obtaining your authorization. For example, Community Care Connections, Inc. may use and disclose your PHI to review and improve the care you receive and to provide training for its staff. Community Care Connections, Inc. may also disclose your PHI to other individuals, called “business associates,” such as consultants and auditors, who help us with our business activities. (Note: If we share your PHI with business associates for this purpose, they must agree to protect your privacy.)

Other Permitted Uses and Disclosures Without Your Authorization. HIPAA authorizes Community Care Connections, Inc., and its business associates, to use and/or disclose your PHI without your authorization in the following instances and for the following purposes.

  1. When Required By Law. For example:
  • For judicial and administrative proceedings pursuant to court or administrative order, legal process and authority.
  • To report information related to victims of abuse, neglect, or domestic violence.
  • To assist law enforcement officials in their law enforcement duties.
  1. For Health and Safety Purposes. For example:
  • To avert a serious threat to the health or safety of you or any other person.
  • To an authorized public health authority or individual to perform public health and safety activities, such as preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability or to report vital statistics such as bir Community Care Connections, Inc. or dea Community Care Connections, Inc.
  • To meet the reporting and tracking requirements of governmental agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration..
  1. For Government Functions. For specialized government functions such as intelligence, national security activities, security clearance activities and protection of public officials; and to health oversight agencies for audits, examinations, investigations, inspections, and licensures.
  2. For Active Members of the Military and Veterans. For example, to comply with the laws and regulations governing military services and veterans’ affairs.
  3. For Workers’ Compensation. For example, to comply with the laws which provide benefits for work-related illnesses or injuries.
  4. In Emergency Situations. For example, to a family member or close personal friend involved in your care in the event or an emergency or to a disaster relief entity in the event of a disaster.
  5. To Others Involved in Your Care. Under limited circumstances, to a member of your family, a relative, a close friend, or other person you identify who is directly involved in your health care or payment of bills related to your health care. For example, if you are seriously injured and unable to make a health care decision for yourself, we may disclose your PHI to a family member if we determine that disclosure is in your best interest. If you do not want this information to be shared, you may request that these disclosures be restricted as outlined later in this notice.
  6. For Appointment Reminders. To you to remind you that you have a health care appointment with us unless you specifically ask us to communicate with you through a different method as described later in this Notice.
  7. To Personal Representatives. To people you have authorized to act on your behalf, or people who have a legal right to act on your behalf, such as parents for unemancipated minors and individuals who have Power of Attorney for adults.
  8. For Treatment and Health-Related Alternatives Information Purposes. To communicate with you about treatment services, options, or alternatives, as well as health-related benefits or services that may be of interest to you, or to describe our providers to you.
  9. For Research Purposes. But only to the extent that certain steps as required by law are taken to protect your privacy.
  10. For Organ, Eye and Tissue Donation. If you are an organ donor, to an organ or procurement organization to facilitate an organ, eye, or tissue donation and transplantation.
  11. Regarding Deceased Individuals. To coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors so those professionals may perform their duties.
  12. To Correctional Facilities. If you are an inmate in a correctional facility we may disclose your PHI to the correctional facility for certain purposes, such as providing health care to you or protecting your health and safety or that of others.

Any Other Uses and Disclosures Require Your Express Authorization. Except in the situations listed in the sections above, we will use and disclose your PHI only with your written authorization, including uses and disclosures for:

  • Marketing. Marketing does not include our face-to-face interactions with you or refill reminders or other communications we might have with or send to you about a drug currently prescribed for you to the extent that any payment that we may receive for making that communication is reasonably related to our costs in making that communication. Marketing also does not include case management or care coordination for your treatment or to recommend alternative treatments, therapies, or health care providers for you as long as we do not receive any payment for making these communications with you.
  • Receiving direct or indirect payment in exchange for providing the information. Such a “sale” of PHI does not include disclosing your information to a health insurer in order to receive payment for products or services we provide to you.

You may revoke your authorization, in writing, at any time. If you revoke your authorization, we will no longer use or disclose PHI except as described above (or as permitted by any other authorizations that have not been revoked). However, please understand that we cannot retrieve any PHI disclosed to a third party in reliance on your prior authorization. Once your PHI has been disclosed pursuant to your authorization, the protections HIPAA provides may no longer apply to the disclosed PHI, and the information may be re-disclosed by the recipient without your knowledge or authorization.

To obtain a form of authorization to request that we disclose your PHI other than as provided above, please contact a Community Care Connections, Inc. representative at the office where you receive services.

Your rights regarding your protected health information

You have the following rights regarding your PHI that Community Care Connections, Inc. creates, collects and maintains. If you are required to submit a written request related to these rights, as described below, you should submit the request to Community Care Connections, Inc. Privacy Officer or the CCC Executive Director.

Right to Request Restrictions: You have the right to request restrictions on your PHI that Community Care Connections, Inc. uses or discloses to carry out treatment, payment, or health care operations. You may also ask that we limit the information we give to someone who is involved in your care, such as a family or friend. Please note that we are not required to agree to your request unless, and except as otherwise required by law, the disclosure you want to restrict pertains solely to a health care item or service for which you have paid for out of pocket in full. If we do or must agree, we will honor your limits unless it is an emergency situation. To request a restriction of your PHI, please submit your request in writing.

Right to Receive Confidential Communications or Communications by Alternative Means or at an Alternative Location: You have the right to ask that we communicate with you by another means or at a different address. For example, you may request that we contact you at home rather than at work. To request communications by another means or at an alternative location, please submit your request in writing.   You should state the alternative means by, or location at which you would like to receive, your PHI. If appropriate, your request should state that the disclosure of all or part of the information by non-confidential communications could endanger you. Reasonable requests will be accommodated to the extent possible and you will be notified appropriately.

Right to Inspect and Copy: You have the right to inspect and receive a copy of your PHI that Community Care Connections, Inc. or its business associates maintain in a designated record set. To request copies, please contact the Privacy Officer. We may ask you to make this request in writing, and we may charge a reasonable fee for the cost of producing and mailing the copies. In certain situations we may deny your request and will tell you why we are denying it. In some cases you may have the right to ask for a review of our denial.

Right to Amend: You have the right to request that Community Care Connections, Inc. or its business associates amend your PHI that is maintained in a designated record set if you believe the information is incorrect or incomplete. To request an amendment, submit a detailed, written request to the Community Care Connections, Inc. Privacy Officer. This request must provide the reason(s) that supports your request Community Care Connections, Inc. may deny your request if it is not in writing, if it does not provide a reason in support of the request, or if you have asked to amend information that:

  • Was not created by or for Community Care Connections, Inc., unless you provide Community Care Connections, Inc. with information that the person or entity that created the information is no longer available to make the amendment;
  • Is not part of the PHI maintained by or for Community Care Connections, Inc.;
  • Is not part of the health record information that you would be permitted to inspect and copy; or
  • Is accurate or complete.

Community Care Connections, Inc. will notify you in writing as to whether it accepts or denies your request for an amendment to your PHI. If Community Care Connections, Inc. denies your request, it will explain how you can continue to purse the denied amendment.

Right to Receive an Accounting of Disclosures: You have the right to request an “accounting” of certain disclosures of your PHI. The accounting lists instances where Community Care Connections, Inc. or its business associates disclosed some portion of your PHI to others and to whom that disclosure was made. The accounting does not include disclosures for treatment, payment, and health care operations; disclosures made to or authorized by you; and certain other disclosures. You may request an accounting of the disclosures made up to six years before your request. If you want an accounting that covers a time period of less than six years, please state that in your written request for the accounting.

To request an accounting of disclosures, submit a written request to the Community Care Connections, Inc. Privacy Officer. You may receive one list per year at no charge. If you request another list during the same year, we may charge you a reasonable fee; however, we will notify you of the cost involved before processing the accounting.

Right to Request a Paper Copy of this Notice: You have a right to receive a copy of this Notice at any time. To obtain it, submit a written request to the Community Care Connections, Inc. Privacy Officer.

Right to Complain: You have the right to complain to Community Care Connections, Inc. and to the Department of Health and Human Services if you believe your privacy rights have been violated. To file a complaint with Community Care Connections, Inc., submit a written complaint to the Community Care Connections, Inc. Privacy Officer. Community Care Connections, Inc. will not retaliate or discriminate against you or otherwise withhold services, payment, or privileges from you because you file a complaint with Community Care Connections, Inc. or with the Department of Health and Human Services.

Right to Receive A Notice of Certain Breaches: You have the right to receive notice in the event that we or one of our business associates create, receive, maintain or transmit your PHI in an unsecured manner (such as in paper form or if the PHI is in electronic form but is not secured) and a breach of our safeguards occurs.

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