What Are The Pitfalls Of Nursing Homes

By Byron Jonas


Prospective customers should apprise themselves of the pitfalls of nursing homes. They need to learn when they may be in violation of federal law. If there is lack of knowledge, prospective customers may rue their ignorance at a later time.

With an aging generation the adult children of aging parents are likely to face the thorny decision of providing adequate care for loved ones no longer able to reside independently. In this event, a nursing home facility may become the obvious choice. Quality of care is one of the variables that will need to be evaluated at this time.

Of course, the location is a key element, especially with consideration of its proximately to the family residence. Another consideration is the level of individual freedom that is permitted. Evaluation of the adequacy of nursing attention is another important factor. This is because regulatory supervision is not a bar to subpar performance in this regard. As indicated by a report of the Government Accountability Office inspections normally either disregard or minimize flaws that may cause substantial patient harm.
Patient care. The kind of care received can be tailored to preferences to some degree. Federal law permits future residents and their family to have a role in developing a care plan. Staff must make reasonable adjustments to respect patient preferences. It should be known that feeding tubes and restraints may only be used as last resorts. Mood drugs can only be prescribed for treatment of specific conditions and not for staff convenience. It should be known that staff may limit the amount of care or apply methods to make their jobs easier rather than benefit their charges.

Becoming a Responsible Party on admission. As a condition for admission, family might be asked to accept financial responsibility as a responsible party. They need to know what this term means. There is a federal prohibition on this requirement that families should become aware of.

Medicare. Caretakers need to be aware that Medicare only permits limited reimbursement. Often, this depends on a link to hospital stay of a certain amount of time. There is no coverage for custodial care, only for coverage if there is need of rehabilitation services and skilled nurses. If the facility decides not to bill Medicare, it must provide a written notice. However, residents are not limited to this decision and can insist the bill be submitted for reimbursement.

Consider Medicaid related issues. Normally Medicaid pays at a lesser rate than other coverage providers. This could mean the service provider lowers level of service provision. However, such discrimination is legally prohibited.

Consider the possibility of eviction. Due to great demand and limited supply and common understaffing, a nursing home may decide to evict certain patients. However, eviction is allowed for a handful of causes. These restricted causes are going out of business, payment failure, care is no longer required, patient needs are beyond capacity of the service provider or that the health or safety of fellow residents is endangered by the presence of the patient. Written notification with is supporting evidence is required within a certain time fra
Medicare. Caretakers need to be aware that Medicare only permits limited reimbursement. Often, this depends on a link to hospital stay of a certain amount of time. There is no coverage for custodial care, only for coverage if there is need of rehabilitation services and skilled nurses. If the facility decides not to bill Medicare, it must provide a written notice. However, residents are not limited to this decision and can insist the bill be submitted for reimbursement.

Consider Medicaid related issues. Normally Medicaid pays at a lesser rate than other coverage providers. This could mean the service provider lowers level of service provision. However, such discrimination is legally prohibited.

Consider the possibility of eviction. Due to great demand and limited supply and common understaffing, a nursing home may decide to evict certain patients. However, eviction is allowed for a handful of causes. These restricted causes are going out of business, payment failure, care is no longer required, patient needs are beyond capacity of the service provider or that the health or safety of fellow residents is endangered by the presence of the patient. Written notification with is supporting evidence is required within a certain time frame of eviction. The notification must provide the contact details of the licensing and inspection bodies and indicate how the determination can be appealed. The pitfalls of nursing homes require potential users to exercise vigilance in their assessment of potential choices.




About the Author:



Related Posts :

Grab The Post URL

URL:
HTML link code:
BB (forum) link code:

Leave a comment

  • Google+
  • 0Blogger
  • Facebook
  • Disqus
Powered by Blogger.