Policies and Forms
Compliance Helpline
UPMC is committed to combating fraud, abuse, and waste in health care. Through the Compliance Helpline, employees and vendors who do business with UPMC can report potentially criminal activities or violations of UPMC policy. Calls to the Helpline are answered by independent third-party communications specialists who assign your call a private code number that you may refer to during any follow-up calls. This allows you to remain anonymous. All calls are handled in confidence and are not recorded.
The Helpline specialist will document the information reported during the call and generate a written report that will be forwarded to the compliance officer of the appropriate UPMC entity. After reviewing the report, the compliance officer will initiate an investigation to determine if corrective action is required.
The toll-free Helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at 1-877-98ETHIC (3-8442).
HIPAA Guidelines for Business Associates
UPMC is required to adhere to rules established by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 (the Privacy Rule). HIPAA, a federal law, governs:
- The privacy of identifiable health information – referred to as protected health information (PHI) – regardless of the format in which it exists (this includes electronic, written, and verbal information)
- Electronic data interchange and code set standards
- Security of PHI
HIPAA applies to health care providers, health plans, health care clearinghouses, and such third parties that perform services involving PHI or exchange electronic data on behalf of UPMC.
HIPAA requires that UPMC enter into an agreement with the third parties having access to PHI. The agreement obligates the business associate third party to appropriately safeguard the PHI. Please review the Terms and Conditions. Then, sign and return the cover letter agreement you previously received, which directed you to this Web site. The cover letter agreement also contains instructions about returning the agreement.
Questions about HIPAA guidelines for business associates should be directed to the Customer Service Group of Supply Chain Management at 412-647-8070. Detailed information about the Privacy Rule may be found on the web site of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Vendor Access Practices to UPMC Facilities
ProTech Compliance is a technology and services company that provides the health care industry and vendors serving the industry with simple, cost-effective, and reliable technology solutions for managing vendor-client relationships, including the credentialing and certification process, compliance standards, facility security, scheduling, tracking, and reporting. For more details, contact ProTech Compliance Customer Service at 1-877-710-STAT (7828) or via e-mail to admin@protechcompliance.com
Conflicts of Interest and Interactions Between Representatives
It is the policy of UPMC, jointly with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences (SOHS), that clinical decision-making, education, and research activities be free from influence created by improper financial relationships with, or gifts provided by, Industry. For purposes of this policy, “Industry” is defined as all pharmaceutical manufacturers, and biotechnology, medical devices, and hospital equipment supply industry entities and their representatives. Read more >
Vendor Responsibilities Under the Deficit Reduction and False Claims Acts
In accordance with the federal Deficit Reduction Act, UPMC is required to inform vendors about the Federal False Claims Act. UPMC encourages its vendors to read and be familiar with the federal guidelines as they pertain to this important issue. The Deficit Reduction Act also requires UPMC to provide vendors with information about whistle blowing and non-retaliation. As part of its Reporting and Non-Retaliation policy, UPMC prohibits retaliation for reporting instances of wrongdoing, made in good faith. Suspected instances of wrongdoing may be reported through the Compliance Helpline (1-877-98ETHIC). To help you understand your responsibilities as a vendor of UPMC, please review the excerpt of UPMC's False Claims policy.