Fighting For The Elderly, Vulnerable and Injured.

New York Times Report – How Nursing Homes Can Game The System

On Behalf of | Aug 27, 2014 | Blog, Elder Abuse, Nursing home Abuse

New York Times Report – How Nursing Homes Can Game The System

A recent article by the New York Times examines the five-star rating system for nursing homes and exposes how nursing homes can game the system. Including Rosewood Post Acute Rehabilitation, a North American Healthcare facility located in Sacramento, California. The Medicare ratings are based in large part on self-reported data by nursing homes that the Government does not verify. Only one of the three criteria used to determine the star ratings — the results of annual health inspections — relies on assessments from independent reviewers. All other measures are reported by the nursing homes and accepted by Medicare at face value.

It is no wonder that since this rating system started in 2009, 37% of the nursing homes have had an increase in their ratings to “four” or “five” stars. By 2013, nearly half of the nursing homes had a “four” and “five” star ratings. The problem with this star rating system is that it is based on self-reported data, not verified by Government sources, and can cause uninformed families to make decisions to place their loved one in a nursing home that could be dangerous.

Wendy York and the team at York Law Firm have been handling drops from mechanical lifts as a part of their elder abuse practice for almost 20 years. If you believe your loved one has been the victim of elder abuse or neglect in a nursing home or assisted living facility, please call our office so that we can investigate your case at 916-643-2200. We are dedicated to representing elders and dependent adults who have been injured, neglected or abused.

To read the New York Times article, click here http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/25/business/medicare-star-ratings-allow-nursing-homes-to-game-the-system.html

 

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