Monterey, CA Nursing Homes And Rehab Facilities Bill Medicare As Much As Possible

The Wall Street Journal broke a story about nursing homes bilking Medicare, something which has been going on in the industry for many years.  The story talked about Jack Furumura who became severely dehydrated in 2013 and shed more than 5 pounds, partly because staff in his rehab facility didn’t follow written plans for his nutrition or the facility’s policies, a state inspection report showed.  During many of his 21 days there, the 96-year-old man suffering from dementia received two hours or more of physical and occupational therapy combined, records show.  That qualified as what Medicare terms an “ultra high” amount of therapy to help with tasks such as walking, even as he deteriorated. And it allowed the nursing-home operator to bill Medicare top dollar for his entire stay.  Patients getting ultrahigh therapy—at least 720 minutes a week—generate some of nursing homes’ biggest payments from the taxpayer-funded program.  If you have a loved one entering a rehab facility, keep an eye on their care, particularly with dementia patients, who can’t look out for themselves.