Philosophy of Care
Patient confidentiality
The Western Michigan University Unified Clinics protects the confidentiality of patient’s health information, as required by law and the professional codes of ethics. Every individual at Unified Clinics has the responsibility to protect the confidentiality of patient’s health information. All patient’s health information, including but not limited to, paper, verbal or electronic data, contained in a patient record or stored in the computerized database is confidential and shall not be discussed with individuals not directly involved in the care of the patient.
Duty to report
We want you to feel comfortable in approaching your supervisor or management in instances where you believe violations of policies or standards related to Unified Clinics business practices, property or financial resources have occurred.
If an employee has any reason to know of or suspect any violation(s) of the law by the Unified Clinics, or its employees, whether or not related to Medicaid or Medicare fraud and anti-kickback statutes and regulations, reporting those potential violations is guided by the following.
- In situations where you prefer to place an anonymous report in confidence, you are encouraged to use this hotline, hosted by a third party hotline provider, EthicsPoint. The information you provide will be sent to us by EthicsPoint on a totally confidential and anonymous basis if you should choose. You have our guarantee that your comments will be heard.
- See the University's whistleblower policy and the EthicsPoint FAQ for more information.
Healthcare fraud and abuse
If you suspect a Unified Clinics employee or clinical provider of committing healthcare fraud or abuse, please report it by contacting one of the following.
- Unified Clinics interim director and corporate compliance officer, Michelle Suarez, at (269) 387-7027
- EthicsPoint toll-free hotline at (855) 247-3145
- Western Michigan University reporting hotline.
You may also mail a report of healthcare fraud and abuse to:
Michelle Suarez, Interim Director and Corporate Compliance Officer
Unified Clinics
Western Michigan University
1903 W. Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5361 USA
HIPAA
For issues concerning HIPAA Compliance, please contact Marti Haug, HIPAA Privacy Officer at marti.haug@wmich.edu or by calling (269) 387-7213.
You may also mail a concern to:
Marti Haug, HIPAA Privacy Officer
David Longjohn, HIPAA Security Officer
Unified Clinics
Western Michigan University
1000 Oakland Dr
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5361 USA
For issues concerning HIPAA Security, please contact David Longjohn, HIPAA Security Officer at @email or by calling (269) 387-7015.
Center for Disability Services Privacy Practices
Protective services for adults or children
For issues concerning adult or child protective services, please call (855) 444-3911 any time day or night. This toll-free phone number allows you to report abuse or neglect of any child or adult to the Michigan Department of Human Services.