The U.S. Department of Justice just scored the largest settlement in the agency’s history against a skilled nursing facility.
The nursing home chain, which has facilities in Georgia, gave patients unneeded therapy that sometimes caused the residents harm. All in a scheme to defraud Medicare.
The company’s own employees complained that the Life Care Center of America facilities kept some patients in their homes longer than necessary in order to keep collecting inflated Medicare payments.
With 220 facilities nationwide, the company has agreed to pay $145 million to resolve the issue.
Like the Wells Fargo scandal, the complaint against Life Care Centers of America involves corporations pressuring employees to meet high-pressure sales goals.
Beginning in 2006 and through 2013, the company ignored the recommendations of its very own therapists. They set therapy goals unrelated to the patient’s actual conditions or needs.
According to the lawsuits, the therapies sometimes created a risk of harm to the patients.
Two former employees were the ones who did the whistle-blowing, filing the lawsuits. The whistleblower reward was $29 million.
Despite agreeing to the settlement, Life Care Centers of America did not admit to liability.
It is unclear how much money the facilities received improperly. The $145 million settlement was based on what the parent company was able to pay according to the Justice Department website.
If you or a loved one has suffered from abuse or neglect while in a skilled nursing facility, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the law offices of Schenk Smith. We can help you get the compensation you and your loved ones deserve. Call us today.
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