According to a recent report released by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) on the state of nursing home violations, nursing facilities were among six provider types with the most patient abuse and neglect convictions tied to Medicaid than other provider types in 2023. 841 criminal and civil patient and abuse complaints related to the sector – topping all other categories – are still open to investigation as of the release of the report.
There are 238 open nursing home investigations tied to Medicaid fraud out of 16,833 among all provider types, according to the report issued by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG). The report is the latest in efforts by OIG to improve nursing home oversight and quality, and recover misappropriated funds. OIG found that nursing homes had 36 patient neglect and abuse convictions last year in investigations done by Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCUs). Nurse aides, nurses, personal care (PCS) attendants, family members or guardians, and developmental disability facility settings were the other five named categories in the OIG report.
MFCUs recovered $1.43 million in Medicaid criminal convictions from nursing homes for patient abuse and neglect, and $9.34 million in Medicaid civil settlements and judgments for the space. For comparison, MFCUs recovered $9.41 million from assisted living facilities and $2.46 million from family members or guardians for the same types of conviction recoveries. About $1.2 billion was recovered as a result of Medicaid convictions among all provider types, for both civil and criminal recoveries.
For the second year in a row, nurse aides and nurses had the most patient abuse and neglect Medicaid convictions at 56 and 52 respectively. The nurse category includes licensed practical nurses (LPNs), registered nurses (RNs), and other licensed nurses.
Why Are Many Instances of Nursing Home Abuse Unreported?
Selecting the right nursing home or care facility for a family member is a stressful and complicated process. It is vital to know that our most vulnerable loved ones are being placed in a caring, comfortable, and safe environment. Unfortunately, recent events have left many nursing and care homes with a lack of staffing, training deficiencies, and supply shortages. When nursing homes fail to meet the basic requirements of care for residents or worse, they must be held accountable.
Due to the power imbalance at play between residents and staff, many victims of nursing home abuse are hesitant to take action from within a facility. Additionally, many residents may have trouble communicating their experiences or are unable to fully grasp what is happening to them. As a result, it often falls to visitors and loved ones to advocate for them when things go wrong. It is extremely important to take a resident seriously if they disclose or report instances of nursing home neglect or abuse.
Do You Need a Maryland Nursing Home Neglect Attorney?
If you or someone you love has been harmed by a care facility in the Prince George’s, Baltimore, Charles, or Montgomery County region, let the attorneys at Lebowitz & Mzhen help you recover the damages you deserve. Our attorneys have many years of experience fighting for the injured and will work to provide you with the support, legal knowledge, and confidence to proceed with your claim. The costs stemming from injury or abuse can quickly become overwhelming, and having a team of experienced lawyers on your side can make all the difference. To schedule a free and confidential consultation today, contact us at 800-654-1949.