From the Office of Inspector General (OIG), U.S. Department of
Health & Human Services
Abuse and Neglect Fraud
Elderly abuse is very common and underreported. Whether it be from a
visiting caregiver or a caregiver in an institutional setting, the
beneficiary has the right to quality care without coercion, intimidation
or physical abuse.
How the Scam Works
- The beneficiary notices that quite often the caregiver doesn’t
show up or shows up only briefly and doesn’t perform the required
work.
- The beneficiary is threatened by the caregiver that he better do as
the caregiver says or the caregiver will leave and he will have
nobody to care for him at all.
- Coercing or threatening beneficiaries to surrender their medications
for the diversion activities described above.
- Coerced into receiving therapy when it is not needed or
refused.
How to Fight Back
- It is never acceptable for a caregiver of any type to physically
strike or harm you or a loved one in any way. Nor is there any
acceptable justification for a caregiver intentionally failing to
provide you with the medicine or services she is required to provide as
part of the medical treatment.
-
If a caregiver ever abuses or neglects you or someone
you know, contact his supervisor immediately. If doing so does not
resolve the problem, or if you do not feel comfortable talking to that
person, then call the State’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, which
investigates allegations of abuse and neglect of Medicaid
patients.
Report Suspected Fraud
To report suspected fraud, click
here.
Disclaimer