Steward Supplier and Vendor Policy

Last Updated: January 12, 2022 
The mission of Steward Heath Care System LLC and its affiliates (collectively, “Steward,” “we,” “our,” and “us”), is to serve the needs of our communities by delivering the highest quality care with compassion and respect. We accomplish this mission in an environment governed by complex local, state and federal rules and regulations. 

Steward is committed to behaving and doing business honestly, responsibly and in accordance with laws and regulations. To create ethical and effective working relationships, we have established policies that govern our relationships with suppliers and other business partners/contractors. As a Steward vendor, you are an important part of our commitment to ethical and legal business practices and prevention of violations of federal and state, fraud, waste, and abuse laws. 

As part of doing business with Steward, please review and abide by the information provided below. Should you have any questions, please contact your Steward Business Owner for further discussion.

Code of Conduct

As a Steward Vendor, you are required to abide by the Steward Code of Conduct. The Code provides general guidance and outlines expectations with respect to compliance standards and ethical business operations. 

Key Compliance Laws

Please review and consider the ‘Overview of Key Health Care Laws’ provided that describes a few of the key laws that often govern the relationship between Steward, its vendors, Steward clinicians and patients. 

Patient Privacy 

As a health care provider, many of the services, functions or activities vendors provide involve the access, use or disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI). In addition, even vendors who do not perform activities or services directly using PHI may interact with patients or PHI in the course of performing work for Steward. These are considered ‘incidental’ uses and disclosure. Please review and consider the ‘Overview of Key Privacy Concepts’ to ensure our patients’ privacy is protected.

Legal Contracts

When working with Steward, you are also obligated to follow the requirements set forth within the agreement governing that contract. Those obligations may include but are not limited to:

• Background screening of your workforce 
• Business Associate Agreements 
• Contractual terms and conditions 
• Hardware and software requirements 
• Infection Control standards 
• Invoicing and order practices 
• Security and Regulatory compliance criteria including encryption and device hygiene 

Payment/Invoicing Inquiries 

[ESCALATION INFO FOR 3RD PARTIES] 

[ESCALATION INFO FOR INTERNAL PARTIES] 

Diversity

[NOT SURE WE HAVE A SUPPLIER DIVERSITY COMMITMENT]