NHC’s Mission, Vision and Values
National HealthCare Corporation and its affiliated companies (NHC) are committed to providing high quality, patient-centered care to recovering, disabled, subacute or chronically ill patients in a manner that complies with all applicable laws.
NHC’s Mission Statement:
NHC is committed to being the senior care leader in customer, partner, and investor satisfaction.
NHC’s Motto:
Care is our business.
The Compliance Program and Standards of Conduct apply to all NHC partners, officers, directors, contractors, and volunteers.
Standards of Conduct:
NHC’s Expectations for our Professional Staff, Contractors, and Volunteers is to:
- Provide medically necessary care.
- Respect patient rights.
- Comply with all laws and reimbursement requirements.
- Submit accurate and truthful claims/invoices.
- Maintain licensure and certification as appropriate.
- Cooperate with background checks and federal exclusion screenings.
- Treat partners and other associates with respect.
- Cooperate with government officials.
- Maintain privacy and confidentiality with all communications regarding patient care.
- Keep residents’ PHI (Protected Health Information) and personal/financial information confidential and secure.
Conflict of Interest:
A conflict of interest occurs when an individual’s private interest (or interest of a member of his or her family) interferes, or even appears to interfere, with the the interest of NHC as a whole. Conflicts of interest must be avoided. Whether or not a conflict of interest exists or will exist can be unclear. Any possible conflicts of interest should be discussed with NHC management.
False Claims Act:
The False Claims Act is a federal law that imposes liability when a person or company improperly received or avoids payment to the federal government.
The Act prohibits:
- Submitting for payment or reimbursement a claim known to be false or fraudulent.
- Making or using false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim or to an obligation to pay money to the government.
- Engaging in a conspiracy to defraud by the improper submission of a false claim.
- Concealing, improperly avoiding or decreasing an obligation to pay money to the government.
The Act also provides protection to those who report any fraud or wrongdoing.
HIPAA Regulation:
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires NHC to protect the privacy and security of residents’ protected health information (PHI). Any provider with access to PHI must ensure that all required physical, technical and administrative safeguards are in place and followed.
The unsecure texting of PHI or taking photos of patients or PHI is a violation of patient privacy and is therefore prohibited.
Any other electronic communication on devices such as cell phones, tablets or laptops must be encrypted or on a secure platform.
As a contractor of NHC, you are required to adhere to the policies and procedures in place to protect and secure PHI and may be required to sign a business associate agreement.
ELDER JUSTICE ACT: The Elder Justice Act is designed to detect, prevent and prosecute elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. This law requires that any reasonable suspicion of a crime must be reported to law enforcement and the State Survey Agency. As a contractor with NHC, you are required to report any suspicion of a crime (a) immediately but no later than within 2 hours if resulting in serious bodily injury to a patient/resident or (b) within 24 hours of crimes that do not result in serious bodily harm. NHC will not tolerate retaliation for good-faith reporting.
ValuesLine
NHC has established a confidential reporting system called the ValuesLine. Reports or inquiries regarding compliance concerns can be made using either the toll-free hotline – 1-888-568-8578 – or via the ValuesLine website, nhc.alertline.com
As a recipient of federal assistance, NHC complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not exclude, deny benefits to, or otherwise discriminate against any person on the grounds of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender or on the basis of disability or age in admission to, participation in, or receipt of their services and benefits of any of its programs and activities or in employment.
ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingü.stica. Llame al 1-800-844-4642 (TTY: 1-800-848-0298). (Spanish)
注意:如果您使用繁體中文,您可以免費獲得語言援助N務。請 致電 1-800-844-4642 (TTY: 1-800-848-0298). (Chinese)
Further information about NHC’s Code of Ethics and Business Conduct can be found here.
Violation of NHC’s Standards of Conduct or Federal Regulation may be cause for termination of your contractor status and relationship with NHC.
Any questions or concerns regarding this information should be directed to the NHC Compliance and Privacy Officer at 615-890-2020 ext. 1664 or toll-free at 1-800-844-4642.