Posts Tagged ‘abuse’

OIG Publishes Findings of Nurse Aide Criminal History Investigation

Authored By: David W. Bufford

As part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) was mandated to submit a report to Congress evaluating the Nationwide Program for National and State Background Checks on Direct Patient Access Employees of Long Term Care Facilities and Providers (commonly referred to as the “Background Check Program”, herein the “Program”).  The OIG recently published the findings of the first year of this investigation, establishing a baseline figure for future years. (more…)

Hand in Hand Training for Nurse Aides

Authored By: Todd J. Selby

On September 14, 2012, CMS published a Survey and Certification letter addressing “Hand in Hand: A Training Series for Nursing Homes.” This training is in response to Section 6121 of the Affordable Care Act, which requires that CMS ensure that nurse aides receive regular training on caring for residents with dementia and prevention of abuse. (more…)

OIG Report Finds Extensive Misuse of Antipsychotics in Nursing Facilities

Authored By: David W. Bufford

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) released a report this morning detailing issues found in the use of antipsychotics in nursing facilities.  Utilizing a sample of records from January through June of 2007, the OIG found over 99% of records reviewed failed to meet one or more Federal requirements.   (more…)

New Vermont laws on abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable adults residing in long term care facilities

Authored By: Sean J. Fahey

Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin recently signed Vermont House Bill 413 into law.  The new law adds a new section to Vermont’s laws on abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable adults residing in long term care facilities.  The new section allows Vermont’s Attorney General the right to pursue a civil action against individuals, nursing homes and other long term care facilities, who, with reckless disregard or with knowledge violate Vermont’s laws abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable adults.   The new law provides that merely having a report filed with the Vermont Attorney General of abuse, neglect, exploitation or suspicion of those acts, is not be sufficient to demonstrate that a person or caregiver acted with reckless disregarded.  Fines start at $5,000 if no bodily injury results and can rise to $50,000 if death occurs.  The new law is effective July 1, 2012.

Vermont’s new law can be found here.
Should you have any questions, please contact:

Todd Selby at 317.977.1440 or tselby@hallrender.com;

Brian Jent at 317.977.1402 or bjent@hallrender.com;

David Bufford at 502.568.9368 or dbufford@hallrender.com; or

Sean Fahey at 317.977.1472 or sfahey@hallrender.com,

or your regular Hall Render attorney.

CMS Releases Final Rule Requiring Providers to Include NPI on Enrollment and Claim Filings

Authored By: David W. Bufford

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) just released a final rule requiring all providers of medical or other items or services and suppliers that qualify for a National Provider Identifier (NPI) to include their NPI on all applications to enroll in the Medicare and Medicaid programs and on all claims for payment submitted under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.  The final rule will be published in the April 27th Federal Register, and the rule will become effective 60 days after publication, June 26.

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CMS Postpones Two Anti-Fraud Initiatives

Authored By: David W. Bufford

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has pushed back the start of two anti-fraud programs to June due to provider concerns.  Two pilot programs, one that would require prior authorization for scooters and power wheelchairs and one allowing recovery audit contractors (RAC) to review claims prior to payment, were initially slated to begin January 1, 2012.   (more…)

CMS Revises Nurse Aide Training Requirements

Authored By: David W. Bufford

CMS recently published a Survey & Certification Memorandum (S&C:11-35-NH) detailing progress in the implementation of Section 6121 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  Section 6121 of the ACA mandates enhanced nurse aide training in nursing homes.  The enhanced training focuses on two areas: 1) how to care for residents with dementia, and 2) how to prevent resident abuse.  CMS states the interpretative guidelines for tag F497 have been revised to include the inclusion of the two focus areas for nurse aide training.    (more…)