All DBH-certified mental health providers must operate ethically, including advertising honestly, complying with federal fraud and abuse laws (False Claims Act, Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law, Exclusion Statute), informing staff of policy changes, treating alleged ethical violations as major unusual incidents, and conducting any research in accordance with federal requirements. Providers may not offer or imply services beyond what their DBH certification authorizes.
View official source8011 ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICE ETHICS 8011.1 All providers shall operate in an ethical manner, including but not limited to complying with the provisions of this section. 8011.2 A provider shall not offer or imply to offer services not authorized on the certification issued by the Department. 8011.3 A provider shall not use any advertising that contains false, misleading, or deceptive statements or claims or that contains false or misleading information about fees. 8011.4 A provider shall comply with all Federal and District laws and regulations, including but not limited to the False Claims Act, 31 USC §§ 3729-3733, the Anti-Kickback Statute, 42 USC § 1320a-7b, the Physician Self-Referral Law (Stark law), 42 USC § 1395nn, and the Exclusion Statute, 42 USC § 1320a-7. 8011.5 The provider shall inform all employees of any policy change that affects the performance of their duties. 8011.6 The provider shall treat all alleged ethical violations as major unusual incidents. 8011.7 The provider, and its personnel, consultants or volunteers must conduct any research in accordance with all Federal law and regulations. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 68 DCR 1623 (February 5, 2021). District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Mental Health 22-A DCMR § 8011