Three nursing homes in Ohio and Pennsylvania have agreed to pay $3.61 million to settle claims that they billed Medicare and Medicaid for care that was dangerously below standard, according to settlement documents provided by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The facilities — Cheltenham Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Philadelphia, The Sanctuary at Wilmington Place in Dayton and Samaritan Care Center and Villa in Medina — are all affiliated with American Health Foundation, a nonprofit based in Dublin, Ohio.
Federal investigators say that between 2016 and 2018, the homes failed to provide basic care and dignity to their residents. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the homes were accused of the following:
- Keeping residents in dirty, pest-infested buildings
- Providing unnecessary medications, which include powerful antipsychotics and sedatives
- Failing to provide psychiatric care for residents
- Neglecting to create care plans or monitor medications
- Leaving residents without activities, stimulation, or protection of personal belongings
“These are some of our most vulnerable citizens,” Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brenna Jenny said in a statement. “Nursing homes are expected to treat them with dignity and respect — not cut corners while collecting taxpayer money.”…