THE CODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY

1 THE code OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITYand Rules & ProceduresServing the orthotic, prosthetic and pedorthic profession for over 60 yearsCODE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND RULES & PROCEDURES REGARDING THE code OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY Revised September 2013 Copyright 2013 American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics Inc. | All Rights Reserved330 John Carlyle St, Suite 210, Alexandria, VA 22314 | Tel: (703) 836-7114 | Fax: (703) 836-0838 | OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITYI. General Responsibilities.

2 PROFESSIONAL Ethics, Custom and the Disclosure of Other Agency ActionsII. Responsibilities to the Physicians and Appropriately Licensed Healthcare Prescribers .. Diagnosis and Orthotic, Prosthetic and Pedorthic Evaluations and Changes in Patient s Provision of ModificationsIII. Responsibilities to the Patient .. Confidential Trust and Fees and Compensation Practice Arrangements Delay in Compliance with Laws and Delegation of Advertising and Public Illegal Sexual Relations with Patient Sexual Relations with Key Third Parties ProhibitedIV.

3 Responsibilities to Colleagues and the Profession .. Dignity Substance Solicitation ExaminationV. Application of the code .. Adherence to the CodeVI. Patient Care by other Healthcare Professionals .. Concern about Care by Other Healthcare ProfessionalsVII. Credential .. Use of CredentialRULES AND PROCEDURESI. RESPONSIBILITY and Objectives of the PROFESSIONAL Discipline Committee .. Resolution of Reports Procedures TimeII. Nature of Authority .. Power to Disposition of Committee Monetary Committee Record KeepingIII.

4 ABC Credential Holders Convicted or Charged with a Felony or Disciplined by Other Entities, Organizations or Agencies .. Affiliations PROFESSIONAL Negligence Appeal of Committee ActionIV. Disciplinary Procedures Initial Consideration .. Disclosure of Previous Committee Complaint Anonymous Complaint Additional InformationV. Disciplinary Procedures Initial Action .. Initial Determination Formal Investigation Response to Complaint Additional Information No Further Right to a Peer Committee Hearing Schedule RULES AND PROCEDURES CONTINUEDVI.

5 Disciplinary Procedures Disposition of Complaint .. Committee Notification of Committee Notice of Appeal Panel VII. Board Decisions .. Further Board Publication of SanctionVIII. Close of Case .. Close of CaseIX. Request for Reinstatement of Credential .. Reinstatement RequestX. Governing Law .. Governing Venue SupplementsSchedule of Time RequirementsProfessional Discipline Complaint FormCode of PROFESSIONAL Responsibility1 code OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITYI. GENERAL PROFESSIONAL ConductThe practice of orthotics, prosthetics and pedorthics (the Profession) is a recognized allied health profes-sion.

6 The ABC Credential Holder assumes specific responsibilities to physicians and other appropriately licensed healthcare prescribers, patients, the public, colleagues and to the Profession itself. These re-sponsibilities must be discharged with honor and integrity to assure public confidence in the Profession. For the purposes of this code of PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY ( code ), the term ABC Credential Holder shall mean any person, facility or organization which may apply or has applied for, or has been awarded any of the certification, accreditations or recognitions offered by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics, Inc.

7 (ABC), including residents registered with the National Com-mission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE). As used herein, Committee refers to the Profes-sional Discipline Committee of the Profession exists for the primary purpose of assisting patients in maintaining functional lives. The ABC Credential Holder shall be responsible for making the greatest possible effort to satisfy the patient s or-thotic, prosthetic or pedorthic requirements. The manner in which the patient is served is an essential fac-tor relating to the appropriate ethical PROFESSIONAL conduct.

8 Members of the Profession are responsible for maintaining and promoting ethical practice including, without limitation, reporting unethical practices in ac-cordance with this code . This code , adopted by ABC, shall be binding upon all ABC Credentials Ethics, Custom and the LawUnethical conduct may involve violations of customs and usages of the Profession as well as actions that violate the law and regulations. Failure to conform to this code , including conduct that violates moral principles, customs and practices of the Profession, the law or regulations, may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Rules and Procedures Regarding the code of PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY (Rules).

9 Disciplinary action depends on the particular circumstances involved and, without limitation, how the conduct in question reflects upon the dignity and integrity of the Committee will take appropriate action, if any, consistent with the Rules. Each ABC Credential Holder has a civic and PROFESSIONAL obligation to report to the appropriate governmental body any and all evidence that may come to his/her attention involving the alleged criminal conduct of any ABC Credential Holder relating to the practice of orthotics, prosthetics or American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics Disclosure of Other Agency ActionsEach ABC Credential Holder must promptly, fully and accurately disclose to ABC any and all investiga-tions.

10 Findings and actions by any: (i) orthotic, prosthetic or pedorthic (OP&P) related agency or body responsible for national, state or local licensing or oversight of health or OP&P related licenses or certi-fications; (ii) government agency; (iii) quasi-government agency; and/or (iv) licensing board (collectively Agencies). The ABC Credential Holder s disclosure requirement includes investigations by federal, state or private payers. The ABC Credential Holder s disclosure requirement does not include general billing audits that are not specific to an ABC Credential Holder.