Los Angeles; March 5, 2013 – Medicare paid over $5 billion to nursing homes that were not meeting basic requirements resulting in some cases in dangerous and neglectful conditions.
According to the report from the Department of Health and Human Services’ inspector general, in 2009 Medicare paid for stays in skilled nursing facilities that failed to meet federal quality of care rule. The investigators estimated that one out of every three times patients wound up in nursing homes that year, they landed in facilities that failed to follow basic care standards laid out by the federal agency that administers Medicare.
“These findings raise concerns about what Medicare is paying for,” the report said. “Indeed they should raise concerns,” stated Jesse Slome, executive director of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, a national trade group. “We know not everyone can afford or health qualify for private long term care insurance but those who don’t want to depend on the future ability of government programs to provide quality care should do some planning.”
Investigators estimated that in one out of five stays, patients’ health problems weren’t addressed in the care plans, falling far short of government directives. The Office of Inspector General’s report was based on medical records from 190 patient visits to nursing homes in 42 states that lasted at least three weeks.
The sample represents over one million patient visits to nursing homes nationwide in 2009, the most recent year for which data was available. “Everyone wants the highest quality of care and Medicare benefits but no one wants to pay the taxes so it’s just silly to expect significant change,” Slome declared. “Ultimately we believe private long term care insurance offers the ability to have greater choice when it comes to choosing where care is received and while it isn’t a universal solution for all, for millions it provides a level of assurance, support and funding that is most beneficial.”
For long term care insurance costs connect with an endorsed long term care insurance professional and member of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance visit the organization’s website or call the national organization at 818-597-3227.
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