News
Lack of Medicare Oversight of Long Term Care Hospitals
Posted on Feb 10, 2010
A front page story by the New York Times reports that Medicare is failing to provide oversight of long term care hospitals. A long term care hospital is typically a facility that provides lengthy rehabilitation services for stroke victims and recovery from surgeries for heart disease, broken bones, and other serious medical conditions. According to the New York Times, Medicare "has never closely examined their care." While they are required to submit quality control data, Medicare rarely penalizes long term care hospitals for failing to submit the data. Medicare has the authority to force a hospital out of the Medicare program; however, Medicare rarely exercises that authority.
Injuries at long term care hospitals include pressure ulcers, falls, and improper (even illegal) use of restraints. If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury at a long term care hospital please contact us by email or call us at (804) 288-1661 before your rights expire.
