HOME / CODE OF BUSINESS ETHICS

Code of Business Ethics

The American Association for Homecare’s Code of Business Ethics has been developed to highlight and promote the high standards practiced by homecare providers, and demonstrates this sector’s commitment to honest and transparent business practices.

The Code also incorporates current guidance and compliance standards as outlined by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as well as other regulatory and legal requirements relevant to home medical equipment companies.

Guidelines for Use

“This Code of Business Ethics will provide the home medical equipment sector with something of value that will help companies maneuver the land mines of compliance plans in health reform. Through education, outreach and action, AAHomecare’s Board of Directors and Code of Ethics Committee are committed to leading our sector in compliance with the law and advancing the highest ethical standards.”

~ A.J. Filippis, AAHomecare Immediate Past Chair

The Code of Business Ethics has been adopted by the AAHomecare Board of Directors.  By adopting this Code, HME providers agree to promote and encourage ethical business practices in all of their interactions using the following core principles to guide conduct:

• Comply with applicable, federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Promote and encourage conduct that builds trust between HME providers, patients, referral sources and private and public sector payers.

AAHomecare’s revised Code expands into important new areas including:

1. Interactions with patients including specifics on products and services, recommending specific products to patients, the continuum of care, gifts and free patient items or services, copays and deductible amounts, gifts to non-profit organizations or charities representing patients, and health fairs.
    
2. Interactions with payors and how billing policies and procedures should adopted, how to comply with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, and ensuring ongoing compliance.
    
3. Interactions with referral sources and how to conduct business and promotional meetings, provide services and information, support third party educational conferences, conduct appropriate arrangements with consultants, gifts, social and holiday events, and grants and charitable donations.
    
4. Interactions with vendors.

AAHomecare and its members have worked with Congress and CMS to encourage ethical business practices and socially responsible conduct.  This Code of Business Ethics is intended to help the HME sector advance these efforts.

Resources

Guidelines for Use

Other Helpful Sources for Information

• U.S. Government: Ethics & Codes of Conduct

 

sign on to the CODE 

Affirm your company’s support for the Code of Business Ethics:

1) Read the Code and the Code Guidelines  

2) Fill out and sign both the Acknowledgment Letter and Certification of Adoption.  

3) Return both of these forms by mail to the address noted on the Acknowledgement Letter.

Contact Sue Mairena at suem@aahomecare.org with any questions about the Code and how to sign on.

* * * * * * * *

The Code of Business Ethicsis available for download in PDF format. The Code Guidelines are also available. If you do not have the latest version of Adobe Reader,download it here.

* * * * * * * *

Download the Code of Business Ethics Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) [PDF]

Read AAHomecare's 13-point Legislative Action Plan to stop fraud.

Download the Code of Business Ethics PowerPoint presentation.

* * * * * * * *

What Companies Are Saying

“PAMS is pleased to endorse AAHomecare’s comprehensive Code of Business Ethics. We have been exploring our options for adopting a more comprehensive code of ethics on our own for more than a year, but it finally occurred to us that our industry is best served by rallying around a single Code that will set THE standard for ethical conduct in the HME industry.  We hope that it becomes the ‘Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval’ for HME providers.  This is a great step forward for our industry and we commend AAHomecare for leading the way.”

~ John Shirvinsky, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of Medical Suppliers (PAMS)

“It’s crucial that our industry have a comprehensive document which defines our business ethics and underscores our credibility. And it is appropriate that the Board of Directors of the oldest state organization in the country is the first to unanimously subscribe to the AAHomecare Code of Business Ethics! I couldn’t be more proud of the leadership shown by AAHomecare and PAMS!  We truly are on the road to speaking with one voice!”

~ Georgie Blackburn, vice president of government relations and legislative affairs for BLACKBURN'S in Tarentum, Pa.