Our Mission

Since 1987 the Michigan Brain Injury Provider Council, a 501 (c)(6) trade association has served providers in professions related to brain injury rehabilitation. The Michigan Brain Injury Provider Council’s purpose is to enhance the ability of its members to provide high quality, ethical rehabilitation, health care, and related services to people with a brain injury. This is accomplished through resource sharing and information exchange, professional development and education, promotions of beneficial legislation, advocacy for brain injury services, and support of the Brain Injury Association of Michigan.

The Michigan Brain Injury Providers Council offers opportunities for all member individuals and organizations to be involved in the crafting of public policy. With the assistance and coordination of the well-known Lansing-based lobbying firm, McKinney & Associates, the Council works with the legislative, judicial and executive branches of state government to improve access to and funding for needed services. The Council also supports laws and regulations that prevent injury from occurring, since the “only cure for brain injury is prevention.” MBIPC advocates for legislation and policies that allow providers to offer high quality care in a stable health care business environment.

Guidelines for Membership

Ethical Principles

  1. The provider advocates for the person served by holding the interests, needs, safety, welfare, and health as paramount to the individuals care, recovery, and rehabilitation.

  2. The provider is committed to advancing the person served through the continuum of care utilizing the least restrictive, most cost-effective products, services, and accommodations.

  3. The provider engages in business practices that promote diversity, corporate citizenship, and service access.

  4. The provider engages in professional relationships with stakeholders.*

  5. The provider accurately promotes its products, services, licensure, and accreditation.

 
* Stakeholders include individuals or groups who have an interest in the activities and outcomes of an organization and its programs and services. They include, but are not limited to, the persons served, families, governance or designated authority, purchasers, regulators, referral sources, personnel, employers, advocacy groups, contributors, supporters, landlords, business interests, and the community. (CARF, 2008)

 

Business Practice Guidelines

  1. The provider adheres to and regularly addresses the Equal Opportunity Employer Act (EOE), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), as appropriate.

  2. The provider maintains licensure, certification, education, and qualification appropriate for that profession. Examples include:

    • CARF and / or The Joint Commission accreditation in the brain injury programs and services that are provided.

    • Current and appropriate licensure for the programs and services provided through the local and/or state agency, as required (i.e. Adult Foster Care).

    • The provider employs licensed, certified, qualified and competent staff members who demonstrate an awareness of, and conformance to, the ethical principles and practices promulgated by their individual professional governing bodies, groups, and/or associations.

    • If not accredited or licensed, the provider demonstrates through its policies, procedures and day to day practices how it assures clients rights, safety, protection, advocacy and quality treatment and care.

  3. The provider has developed and uses internal mechanisms for identifying and resolving ethical issues with persons served, their families, staff members, and other stakeholders. Examples include:

    • Complaint Handling and/or Grievances policies

    • No Reprisal and/or Retaliation policies

    • Conflict of Interest policies

    • Code of Ethics statement; or identification of existing code of ethics as determined by professional trade association, licensure, certification, etc.

  4. The provider operates with a reasonable measure of transparency including but not limited to:**

    • Accessible statement of the code of ethics to which the provider adheres.

    • Accessible indicators of service efficacy.

    • Accessible evidence of licensures, certifications, and/or qualifications.

    • Accessible statement of services available

  5. The provider makes available and/or encourages education and training for its staff in ethical principles and practices.

  6. The provider actively participates in national, state and/or local organizations that increase knowledge and awareness of brain injury treatment and prevention.

  7. The provider seeks opportunities to collaborate and cooperate with other providers for the benefit of the persons they serve.

  8. Providers are proactive, positive, timely and direct in their efforts to resolve conflicts and ethical issues with each other.

  9. The provider produces indicators and evidence of service efficacy.***

  10. The provider actively participates in efforts relating to research, public policy, advocacy, education, prevention, and/or support of traumatic brain injury. These efforts are congruent and consistent with initiatives and strategies developed by MBIPC and are not in conflict with, or potentially undermine, the efforts of MBIPC.

  11. The provider is expected to remain current and actively pursue improvements in service delivery, business practices, professional standing, quality, and accessibility.

** Transparency can be accomplished through reports to stakeholders including but not limited to postings in facility/office, on a website, and/or in marketing materials.

*** Service Efficacy demonstrates the ability to produce the desired results. Examples may include financial (i.e. cost-effectiveness), clinical outcomes, functional outcomes, number of persons served with TBI, stakeholder satisfaction, reduction of barriers, input from stakeholders, quality, community access, etc.

 

Ethical Conduct Policy

The MBIPC intends to ensure the ethical conduct of its members. The conduct of a member may negatively impact other members, so it will work to preserve the high quality and standards expected by the consumer as well as its general membership. The MBIPC also recognizes that membership is an option to the provider. By virtue of applying for membership, the member accepts the responsibility of strict adherence to this policy. 

To ensure fairness across its membership and other broad industry-specific oversight agencies, the MBIPC does not take the position as an enforcement agency outside of the access to MBIPC controlled membership and resources. It takes the position as trade association and facilitator of best practices.

In the event an allegation, report, or other method of communication is made against a member of the MBIPC, the MBIPC may:

  1. Refer the complainant to:

    • Address the accused member directly, using either written or verbal methods

    • The appropriate licensing, accreditation, and/or certifying agent or agency

    • The State of Michigan, specifically Department of Community Health (Professional Healthcare Licensure)

    • Appropriate advocacy agency or organization (i.e. Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service)

    • The Better Business Bureau

    • Seek appropriate legal counsel

    • Other applicable resources

  2. Make direct contact to any of the above agents or accused member to assist in resolving disputes or issues.

The MBIPC reserves the right and at its discretion to suspend or terminate membership without refund if it is determined with reasonable certainty by its Board of Directors that the accused member has violated any of these principles and/or guidelines.

 

Other Standards and Practices

Conflicts of Interest – In the spirit of transparency and disclosure by board members regarding any potential conflicts of interest, the MBIPC maintains a Conflict of Interest policy.  Members of the board are required to complete a Conflict of Interest form and other Members of the organization may be requested to complete a form from time to time.  If you would like to review the policy, please contact us.

 Financial Reporting and Responsibilities – The MBIPC financial statements are audited by an independent public accounting firm.  In addition, the MBIPC completes and files the required Federal Form 990 on an annual basis.  If you would like to review a copy of the Form 990, please feel free to contact us.


Please contact Tom Judd, Executive Director at tom.judd@mbipc.org for more information on our by-laws.