Federal Judge Tosses $350M False Claims Act Penalty Against Provider

A federal judge last week threw out a $350 million False Claims Act judgment against a Florida nursing home provider, writing that its occasionally inaccurate record-keeping didn’t amount to deliberate fraud. In a fiery ruling, U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday wrote that the claims brought by a whistleblower against Salus Rehabilitation, LLC — namely […]

Social Security Program Could Help SNF Residents Manage Own Finances

A seldom-used Social Security program could help more people with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia manage their money, according to a new research brief from Boston College’s Center for Retirement Research. The Representative Payee Program lets a designated proxy receive and manage a retiree’s benefit check for them. Without some form of money management, seniors with dementia are […]

Public Outcry Over Skilled Nursing Arbitration Rule Grows

The skilled nursing industry cheered earlier this year when the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it would reverse course on a plan to ban arbitration agreements between SNF operators and residents. But as the public learns more about the issue, the backlash has been harsh — and national publications are taking […]

‘Peggy’ Holds NJ Skilled Nursing Providers to Stronger Standard

The state of New Jersey took an added step to regulate elder care provided in institutional settings, recently implementing a new law that holds care providers to stricter reporting guidelines. Sponsored by Republican State Sen. James Holzapfel, “Peggy’s Law” requires any caretaker, social worker, physician, registered or licensed practical nurse, or other professional to immediately report suspected […]

Why Dark Skilled Nursing History Could Repeat Itself

Various health care agencies and groups have expressed concerns over the effects of Obamacare repeal on Americans’ access to skilled nursing care, as well as the ongoing viability of SNFs as a business amid steep Medicaid cuts. At least one commentator also claims that the GOP health plans could lead to a return to the […]

U.S. Skilled Nursing Investor Group Sues Alleged Canadian Fraudsters

A recently filed lawsuit alleges that U.S. investors moving to acquire 14 skilled nursing facilities and other senior housing properties actually were tricked by Canadian fraudsters. Illinois-based developer SSU LLC, which does business as Sunny Side Up, filed a lawsuit for $36 million in damages against Ontario-based Paramount Equity Financial Corporation, Canadian businessman Enzo Mizzi, […]

Genesis Finalizes $53.6 Million Settlement Deal with DOJ

Genesis HealthCare (NYSE: GEN) on Friday announced the execution of a $53.6 million settlement with the United States Department of Justice over a variety of improper billing allegations. The Kennett Square, Pa.-based post-acute provider denied all of the government’s claims, which included four separate sets of allegations involving various Genesis subsidiaries. In its complaint, the DOJ […]

NPR: State Regulators Cracking Down on Involuntary SNF Discharges

The Administration for Community Living logged more than 9,000 complaints about involuntary discharges from long-term care facility residents across the country in 2015, and now lawmakers are taking notice. In particular, officials in Maryland and Illinois have begun investigating discharge rates in their states, according to a recent report from NPR. Maryland Attorney General Brian […]