Contents
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CODE
- I. General Responsibilities
- II. Responsibilities to the Physicians and Other Licensed Healthcare Prescribers
- III. Responsibilities to the Patient
- IV. Responsibilities to Colleagues and the Profession
- V. Application of the Code
- VI. Patient Care by Other Healthcare Professionals
- VII. Credential
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RULES
- I. Responsibility and Objectives of the Professional Ethics Committee
- II. Nature of Authority
- III. ABC Credential Holders Convicted or Charged with a Felony or Disciplined by Other Entities, Organizations or Agencies
- IV. Disciplinary Procedures — Initial Consideration
- V. Disciplinary Procedures — Initial Action
- VI. Disciplinary Procedures — Disposition of Complaint
- VII. Board Decisions
- VIII. Close of Case
- IX. Request for Reinstatement of Credential
- X. Governing Law/Venue
- Supplements
©2024 by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, Inc. All rights reserved.
No part of this document may be produced in any form without written permission of the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, Inc.
The Code of Professional Responsibility and Rules & Procedures
June 2023
I. General Responsibilities
C1.1 — Professional Conduct
The practice of orthotics, prosthetics and pedorthics (Profession) is a recognized allied health profession. 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 responsibilities 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, and/or has been awarded any of the certifications, accreditations or recognitions offered by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics, Inc. (ABC), including residents registered with the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE). As used herein, Committee refers to the Professional Ethics Committee of the ABC.
The Profession exists for the primary purpose of assisting patients in maintaining functional lives. ABC Credential Holder(s) shall be responsible for making their best efforts to meet the patient’s orthotic, prosthetic and/or pedorthic needs. The manner in which the patient is served is essential to ensuring that the ABC Credential Holder is engaged in appropriate ethical professional conduct. Members of the Profession are responsible for maintaining and promoting ethical practice including, without limitation, reporting unethical practices of other ABC Credential Holders, in accordance with this Code. This Code, adopted by ABC, shall be binding upon all ABC Credentials Holders.
C1.2 — Ethics, Custom and the Law
Unethical conduct may involve violations of customs and generally accepted practices of the Profession as well as actions that violate federal, state and/or local laws and/or regulations. Failure to conform to this Code, including without limitation, a lack of cooperation with a Committee inquiry or conduct that violates best practices of the Profession and/or moral principles, laws, regulations and/or customs may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Rules and Procedures Regarding the Code of Professional Responsibility (Rules). Disciplinary action, if any, depends on the particular circumstances involved and, without limitation, how the conduct in question reflects upon the dignity and integrity of the Profession.
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/its attention involving the conduct of any ABC Credential Holder that violates the Code.
C1.3 — Disclosure of Other Agency Actions
Each ABC Credential Holder must promptly, fully and accurately disclose to ABC any and all investigations, findings and actions by any federal, state or local: (i) orthotic, prosthetic or pedorthic (OP&P) related agency or body responsible for licensing or oversight of health or OP&P related licenses or certifications; (ii) government agency; (iii) quasi-government agency; and/or (iv) licensing board (individually an Agency and 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. Each ABC Credential Holder must make such disclosure to ABC within 30 days from learning of the commencement of action by any Agency. Each ABC Credential Holder must promptly and fully cooperate with ABC, the Committee and the Agencies.
