How Fraudulent Behavior Impacts Nursing Home Residents
Nursing home fraud is sadly all too common, and at the end of the day it is the residents who suffer the consequences. A recent study illustrates a link between nursing home fraud and the decline of patient safety. In all forms nursing home fraud negatively impacts the very people meant to be safeguarded by the homes in which they reside.
What is Nursing Home Fraud?
Nursing home fraud, particularly the abuse of Medicare and Medicaid funds, is unfortunately a prominent type of healthcare fraud in the United States. The misuse of funds intended for the care of the vulnerable elderly in nursing homes is not a victimless crime—it is the residents who depend on these funds for their care who feel the brunt of the crime’s effect in the form of deteriorating care and the decline of their well-being as a result of fraud in these long-term care facilities.
Fraud Is Malpractice
The kind of nursing home malpractice, a.k.a, fraud, includes various illegal practices, such as the following:
- Submitting false claims for services not provided, or for a higher level of service than what was provided
- Over billing for services rendered
- Overcharging for medications
- Providing unnecessary medical procedures or medication
- Falsifying medical records
- Offering kickbacks for referrals
- Misappropriating residents’ money
How Fraud in Nursing Homes Puts Residents at Risk
Nursing home fraud hurts residents in a number of ways. When funds intended for care, equipment, or other necessary supplies never reach the facility or its residents, it is the deprived patients who suffer, both physically and emotionally. In circumstances where a facility implements unnecessary procedures or medications, residents are placed in direct physical danger of harmful side effects. Falsified medical records might impact a resident’s eligibility for necessary care. The deterioration of physical health as a result of poor care can be compounded by a decline in mental health, which could be experienced as anxiety or depression. Overall, residents who depend on their facility for all kinds of care end up experiencing a worsening of their well-being.
What You Can Do
While direct indications of nursing home fraud can be difficult for family members to detect, it is important to remain vigilant for any sign that something suspicious is happening. If you see any specific decline in care of your loved one, including a change in his or her personality, or if you notice that glaring under-staffing—a red flag for this and other kinds of nursing home malpractice—is occurring in your loved one’s home, don’t hesitate to act. Contacting a nursing home malpractice or wrongful death attorney can initiate an investigation into whether or not nursing home malpractice in the form of fraud has taken place.
Fighting to Protect Nursing Home Residents
Contact Us for a Free Consultation
Attorney Brian P. Murphy is dedicated to protecting the safety and preserving the rights of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, or New Jersey nursing home residents. As a seasoned nursing home malpractice and wrongful death attorney, Brian Murphy endeavors to hold accountable those Philadelphia/PA or NJ nursing homes responsible for negligence and abuse and every kind of nursing home malpractice. Should you find yourself needing to contact a nursing home malpractice and wrongful death attorney, or if you need guidance in choosing a nursing home, call Brian Murphy today.
