ORGANIZATIONAL ETHICS Code

Code of CONDUCT ORGANIZATIONAL ETHICS

Table of CONTENTS

Statement of Integrity

1

Corporate Compliance Program

Purpose and Scope

2

Raising Questions and Reporting Suspected Violations

3

Directory

3

Standards of Conduct

Caring for Our Patients

4

Information Security and Confidentiality

5

Coding, Billing and Accounting

6

Document Retention and Disposal

6

Regulatory Issues

6

Antitrust

7

Tax Exempt Status

7

Environmental

7

Detecting and Preventing Fraud and Abuse

7

Payments and Gifts to or from Referral Sources

8

Conflicts of Interest

8

Gifts and Business Courtesies from Non-Referral Sources

9

Human Resources

10

Environment of Safety

10

Electronic Media

11

Copyrights

11

Team Member Training

11

Monitoring, Reporting and Enforcement

Raising Questions or Concerns and Your Confidentiality

12

Compliance Line

12

Government Investigations

12

Application of Code of Conduct

13

Team Member Compliance Acknowledgement

13

Statement of INTEGRITY

Meridian Health has earned a reputation for integrity and high professional standards. That reputation guides our conduct in all relationships, including those with patients, team members, volunteers, medical staff members, vendors and contractors, insurers, and each other. Our commitment includes compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, and we have developed a comprehensive values-based Ethics and Compliance Program to assist us in maintaining those standards. I strongly encourage each of you to make a personal commitment to follow our Code of Conduct: K Obey all laws and regulations governing our business conduct. K Be honest and responsible in all of your Meridian activities and relationships. K P rotect the privacy and confidentiality of information entrusted to us in accordance with legal

and ethical standards. K Avoid conflicts of interest between work and personal affairs. K Extend equal opportunities to every member of our diverse community. K Create a safe workplace and protect the environment. K Recognize, respect, and promote ethical conduct. Our Code of Conduct, coupled with other Meridian policies and procedures, guides us in our ethical and professional commitments as we fulfill our mission to the communities we serve. It is important to comply not only with the letter of these policies, but also with their spirit. Please read the Code carefully; it imposes an affirmative duty to report any actual or perceived violations. You have our assurances that there will be no retribution for asking questions or reporting possible violations. Meridian will address concerns about inappropriate conduct expeditiously, with care and respect. Our ability to serve our community and maintain the trust of those with whom we deal depends upon the actions of each one of us. We must act with integrity and promote and enhance our mission, vision, and values. By endorsing our organizational ethics, we will ensure Meridian's commitment to the Five Pillars on which our organization is based: People, Quality, Service, Growth, and Financial Strength.

John K. Lloyd, FACHE President & CEO, Meridian Health

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Corporate Compliance PROGRAM

Purpose and Scope

Meridian's Board of Trustees initiated a Corporate Compliance Program ("Compliance Program") to underscore and enhance Meridian's commitment to business ethics, legal, and regulatory compliance. The Compliance Program applies to all medical, business, and legal activities performed by trustees, officers, team members, medical staff members, residents, volunteers, vendors, and contractors.

The Code of Conduct (Code) is the foundation of Meridian's Compliance Program and contains standards of conduct. The standards are supplemented by other policies and standards in effect at Meridian, such as those found in the Team Member Handbook and Meridian's Policies and Procedures, all of which are available at . The Code of Conduct strongly supports and promotes Meridian's Mission, Vision, and Values.

Responsibilities relating to the Code include:

K E ach trustee, officer, team member, volunteer, medical staff member, and resident is expected to read and adhere to the Code.

K A ll team members are also expected to be familiar with Meridian's Team Member Handbook and with the detailed policies, procedures, and rules that apply to their positions.

K M eridian team leaders are responsible for ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and Meridian's ethical standards by: ? discussing the Code with team members who report to them and educating them on its importance; ? answering team member questions on the Code and assisting them in understanding its provisions; ? responding appropriately to detect and report any violations and prevent recurrence; ? applying consistent and appropriate disciplinary measures if warranted; and ? being proactive and not condoning or ignoring misconduct that comes to their attention.

COMPLIANCE: It's Not Just the Law, It's the Right Thing to Do

K E veryone has a duty to report any suspected violations of the Code of Conduct. The Code provides a confidential means for reporting suspected violations without fear of reprisal or retaliation.

Claims of ignorance, good intentions, or bad advice are not acceptable excuses for non-compliance. Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct can include: (1) violating the standards in the Code, (2) failing to remedy a violation, (3) failing to act in a timely and reasonable manner once an issue is known, or (4) failing to report a suspected violation in a timely manner.

Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary actions for non-compliance, up to and including termination.

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Meridian Health C O D E O F C O N D U C T : O R G A N I Z A T I O N A L E T H I C S

Raising Questions and Reporting Suspected Violations

If you have any questions about legal or ethical issues that arise in the everyday performance of your job, or if you become aware of an activity that may violate the Code, you have several options. We encourage the resolution of issues at a local level whenever possible. It is an expected good practice to raise concerns first with your team leaders, the on-site designated Compliance Liaison, or the Human Resources Site Manager, if appropriate. If you are not comfortable doing this or if you are unsatisfied with the response or have additional concerns, you should continue to raise the issue through the following channels:

K 1. Your Direct Team Leader K 2. Your Department Leader K 3. On-site or Designated Human Resources Representative K 4. On-site or Designated Compliance Liaison K 5. Corporate Compliance Officer K 6. Corporate ComplyLine K 7. Office of Legal Affairs

You may use any combination of the resources outlined above and there is no obligation to follow a chain of command if you believe someone has violated the law.

Open discussion of ethical and legal issues without fear of retribution is the cornerstone of Meridian's Compliance Program. Meridian will not tolerate retaliation against any team member who, in good faith, reports an ethical or legal concern. Anyone who engages in retaliatory actions shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

Directory

Meridian Health has many resources for general help with questions and issues.

Corporate Human Resources Department Corporate Compliance/Internal Audit Office Meridian Privacy and Security Officer Corporate Compliance Line (ComplyLine) Corporate Office of Legal Affairs Corporate Risk Management Department

732.751.7560 732.751.3500 732.897.7200 877.888.8030 732.751.7550 732.751.7551

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