Growing concerns about hospice fraud

[@helenpomerleau6455]

Retired RN. My last 4 years of nursing I worked as a Hospice RN for a nonprofit Hospice. The agency was wonderful to work for until they hired a new administrator, who wanted to increase profit. I quit and decided to retire.

[@SledDog5678]

Nathan Adelson? They kicked my parent out...my parent died the following day!

[@solvision3d]

Thank you for reporting on this and letting us know things to look out for. I hope they continue to investigate more of these hospice situation‘s when elderly are by themselves and don’t have anyone really there to look out for them and get into the system and there’s nobody there to make sure that they’re getting the proper care and that they are being protected and not being taken advantage of and put to death unnecessarily.

[@libbywiskowski9618]

This really makes me sad. Am I surprised though? No. I'm an over a decade long hospice healthcare worker. It's absolutely my passion and I really am so disappointed that it has become all about money. Hospice care is specifically about providing top notch and compassionate care/services that ensures love and dignity is given to people in their end of life. The most uncomfortable time of their lives should NEVER be about money. Full stop.

[@theresebortzfield188]

I am incensed. Hospice is for care for families and patients in the most vulnerable people

[@helenpomerleau6455]

This is one reason I can not be an RN in today medical field. The down grading of pt. care. When I started nursing in the sixties hospitals were supposed to be non profit. This all changed when health insurance began to have in put into pt care. That is one reason to have national health care system

[@nacarreira777]

American medicine IS big business. Medicare for all.

[@bokhans]

USA is all about the money and the billionaires get as much of it as possible. As every American thinks they will be rich they side with the rich and here we are…. 🤪

[@susanford2388]

Life saving treatment should never be about profit. Full Stop. Price gauging diabetes suffers, old people. That too should be a crime. Thank you for the care you provide for those who are at the end of their lives & need TLC.

[@brendabertsch9352]

I have been referred to hospice 4 times by Drs. The thing is that I don't need it! Glad that this is in the light. People take notice!

[@sheilagarrick]

Hospice should NEVER be a for-profit business. This is ridiculous! There should be absolutely no venture capital, no shareholder models ever in Hospice. Hospice is a community service and should be completely focused on patient care, grief work for the family and comfort for both.

[@RevLeigh55]

There is a radical difference between how the non-profit and for-profit hospices operate. I’ve worked for both. If you or a loved need hospice care, look for a non-profit.

[@alexlifeson8946]

Healthcare needs to be DE-PRIVITIZED

[@stephaniehampton3525]

No way!!! Government Healthcare is way worse!!

[@RevLeigh55]

For-profit health care of every kind needs to be abolished. All should be non-profit.

[@stephaniehampton3525]

@@RevLeigh55 If we did that we would have healthcare like UK… no thank you!! It’s competition that makes our healthcare better than any where else!!

[@M.Campbell]

@@stephaniehampton3525 If you can afford it. There needs to be some sort of hybrid system. Basic healthcare shouldn't only be available to people who can afford medical bills that are more than their rent.

[@stephaniehampton3525]

@@M.Campbell I know that would be ideal but to totally turn healthcare over to government....no way!! That's why communism doesn't work because when you take the competition out of anything it goes to crap!!

[@laurachristianson1688]

The same thing can be said about nursing homes in general

[@geegaw1535]

I detest hospice

[@dianesawtell7216]

My daughter just passed away from Cancer. We had wonderful care from Hospice.

[@Jarial7]

The woman I loved died of cancer in my arms I took holy orders and became a priest you don't get over it you get through it.The living God grant your daughter an honoured place in paradise prepared for her before the world began may God give you a garment of joy instead of the ashes of sadness till you meet again in the kingdom of love Father Charles Anderson

[@alexlifeson8946]

That's nice. What's your point?

[@dianesawtell7216]

@@alexlifeson8946 I guess my point is, in my state and her city hospice is top notch. 24 hour service, on call. I could talk about so much more but I know you would not care.

[@Deb_BG]

Im sorry for your loss.

[@maxalberts2003]

I'm sorry for your loss.

[@jtempleton1465]

Thank you, Stephanie! ❤

[@TheTransparentTrucker]

Texas… it figures.

[@bombaybeach208]

There's a lot of that here in Southern California.

[@richyp64]

My 35 yo neighbor is now in hospice because of his turbo cancer. Bless these hospice workers.

[@t.h.8475]

What us turbo cancer? I've never heard of it before.

[@lindabruce4899]

Excellent reporting. All healthcare belongs in a caring first model. We are wrong in our country to let it be in a business (for profit) model.

[@pakpala1]

Capitalists huh??? More like criminals..

[@wmd40]

all capitalists are criminals but not all criminals are capitalists

[@annejones8716]

The notion that we can allow for-profit entities to take over health and human services in this country and not think there will be fraud and harm to patients is denying reality. Put patients and their families at the center of our health care system, pay providers directly for services, take the profiteering out, regulate, inspect and audit regularly. Stop vilifying government and turning a blind eye to profiteering in the private sector.

[@galaxyglitterlatte4664]

There is such evil in this world.

[@Smiley-fv8zi]

I was a hospice chaplain and we were scrutinized even when we didn't prescribe medication, rightfully, so. I felt better knowing I worked for an agency that took regulations, procedures, and laws, seriously.

[@jacquelineradney8983]

Nothing should shock us in these days we're living in the love of money is in all facets of life may God help us inJesus name Always Amen 😊

[@lacecurtainirish]

This has been going on for decades. Glad you caught on.

[@gigi4713]

Yes. I’m terrified. My mother was put on hospice too early.

[@lacecurtainirish]

@@gigi4713 My heart goes out to you and your Mom. I hope your experience with hospice is a good one and that it’s able to provide comfort and care for both your mother and you.

[@FullTimePatient37]

Yes, and it's the majority of the hospice care... my mum suffered nurse cruelty but 30 years ago we didn't know what to do, my family kept reporting..I wish they kept her home at least I would have known her 😢

[@lacecurtainirish]

@@FullTimePatient37 I am so very sorry for what your mom and your family experienced. It should have never been like that. My heart goes out to you.

[@introvertsrock9843]

Not just hospice What about elder abuse committee by caretakers and/or relatives? There was one where the daughter killed & buried her 95yr old father in the backyard so she could cash his pension checks Or....slowly robbing them of their belongings. Or... or opening credit cards from stolen mail

[@janrobertsstickel6256]

Elder abuse by families, Power of Attorneys needs national coverage. What a horrible way to go, to have your family turn on you to your demise. Yuck.

[@charlesshelton7989]

I've seen family members leave ailing patients on life support so they could cash out social security checks. Get your affairs in order, people.

[@ac61900]

Putting your family and a home or on hospice is despicable and shameful. Because when they were raising you they didn't toss you in a home or a program they raised you.

[@talk3194]

Hospice is the MOST EXPENSIVE health care, and most Nurses and CNA’s are underpaid for their work and travel. The funding from Hospice care usually drives the revenue for Rural Health Care Hospitals. I’ve seen hospitals put patients into hospice care way to early - for no other reason than profits!

[@thewkovacs316]

hospice care can be done at home at a huge savings

[@graceg3250]

Hospitals will also put people into Hospice so that they won’t die while in the hospital, so as to lower the death rates associated with the hospital.

[@ronica2623]

@@thewkovacs316I don’t think so. Yes, can save on nursing home, but You still need people who can provide medical assistance and if the spouse or other caretaker can’t or unwilling to take care of basic needs (feeding, bathing, changing diapers,etc…), you have to hire people for that. Hospice is only one piece. Awful

[@diatribe1194]

THANK YOU.

[@dahby2724]

It is an honor to be with your loved one at this time.❤❤❤was there with My Mom...she absolutely glowed.

[@Eric-yp9nc]

the map showing many of the fraudulent hospice cases were in the southwestern USA...wondering what that would be about??

[@SarafinaSummers]

The lds church probably has a hand in it.

[@Jojo-gg6jc]

That's just evil & inhumane to patients and their families. I know there are good companies out there. We had to use hospice for my father, we had everything in his home within 24 hours after he left thr hospital, we had wonderful nurses and aides and doctors did come to our house once a week. My dad only lived 2 weeks from the day he came home. We received compassion, empathy, wonderful care. It's really sad to see how these 2 men took advantage of those who didn't need it. I'm glad they were caught and deserve everything they get.

[@Milaperadotti]

My mom was on hospice for stage 4 cancer and hospice only came once a week.

[@alarahillton1343]

That’s terrible

[@jeanetteatkinson7686]

Very sad

[@elainegoad9777]

Good Hospice and Pallative Care is so important for all of us because we all age. We all enter into the "terminal phase" of life. All of us will face Dying process even these crooks !

[@createone100]

Gawd I am glad I am Canadian, and not American. Can’t imagine living in the USA.

[@mamatrain100]

Virginia Mason in Seattle suggested hospice for hubs. He needed his thyroid removed. They are quick to give up these days.

[@lovinglight1720]

Horrid any investigation is warranted

[@baileyhallfilms]

it's good there counteracting those that rort and keeping the system integral for all

[@createone100]

??? Proof read before you post, and try to make sense.

[@beckyd712]

We need serious consequences for people who defraud our medical system and governmental agencies in place to assist people when then cannot care for themselves. We need laws and regulations to keep people safe, to stop the abusers who are NOT actually caring for patients.

[@robertafierro5592]

Unbelievable!!

[@ronica2623]

My brother was put on hospice before he died. The service helped him at the end.

[@FullTimePatient37]

I need an explanation on hospice, is it true that hospice doesn't allow feeding tubes or Tracheostomy?!

[@lacecurtainirish]

@@FullTimePatient37 It’s best to discuss that directly with hospice. When my dad was under hospice care, he required a number of procedures that were considered life saving. Hospice discharged him for the duration of the procedures and re-admitted him once they were completed. Good luck!

[@whiqeddik7615]

Jesus Christ, yes, thank you for this reporting and I hope we could out root these terrible disgusting vial people that are poisoning public assistance. God bless that investigator as well. He looks very determined finding these bad actors and may he be as thorough as the god's will allow

[@janetpattison8474]

What? This story is really extreme. I worked for a large hospice in Florida for 12 years prior to retiring. When a family is overwhelmed caring for a patient, like an 86 year old wife, caring for her 88year old husband who has cancer, Getting ppl to consider hospice care is the problem. Many ppl or families are very reluctant bc they don’t want to give up, or the family is proud, or they don’t accept that the patient, their loved one is dying. Very strict government Medicare guidelines have to be met to keep a patient on hospice care. There has to be PROOF that the patient is declining, as in, how is the disease progressing? There is usually a six month life expectancy for a patient. For a corrupt Dr. To be getting paid for referrals is absurd, bc a fake referral won’t medically qualify 3 months down the road, and has to be dropped. All medical records, and case management is closely scrutinized, and a medical team, nurses, social workers, chaplain, etc., that meets weekly, is involved in every patient’s care, including a team Dr. That is also reviewing patient cases.

[@ripadipaflipa4672]

😳 😱 as a RN the past 4 + decades I never had any idea people can stoop so low they all must be behind bars for the rest of their lives.

[@susanford2388]

Texas where else? Did Paxton get a kick back too

[@windorsolarplease4314]

My Mother-in-law was in Hospice and was treated wonderful. They bathed her, gave her a clean gown, and clean sheets everyday and sometimes more if needed. They even had a harpist come in the room to play. She was read to and volunteer's sat with her when we grabbed something to eat. The place was amazing. The only thing I did notice, I had to ask for Morphine when it was time, and at times when we had to wait we would have to complain. It depended on who was working, because there were times it was given right on time before she started to react from pain. Probably it's because morphine is expensive or maybe they were over worked? I do know all the beds were full and we were lucky to get her in there. At any hospice just watch the times for the morphine, you don't want to see any pain in their face or fists clinched. Ask a nurse that you like, on how many hours in between. During the day, care seemed better than night care. There are less people working late.

[@garrybrown3165]

We also need to question the possibility of diversion of pain medications from hospice patients. Close and continuous monitoring is needed.

[@Michaelcj-m2d]

Public health service in Spain 🇪🇸👍👍

[@maximilian333]

The nurses in hospice all need to call a labor union and put the brakes on this. Don’t believe anything management says. If you are a Hospice Nurse contact National United Healthcare Workers for information

[@Zorazora1234]

I was a marketing liaison for hospice in New Mexico, Texas, Michigan, Colorado.. I finally left hospice.,as a marketing rep once Corporate took over hospice and ruined hospice … Matt Gaetz, Florida politician.,, his dad made his fortune in hospice, and Matt hates the government,, but the govt made his dad wealthy The flip side, a lot of people wait toooo late to request hospice, we live in a country where folks want to ignore the fact that we all die It was exhausting to admit people onto service at the last moment, a waste of time, you can not help them. It’s not worth the staff cost to admit patients at the last minute, at the end of the day it is a business and we need a honorable pay check ..

[@hopesprings4155]

Very true!

[@oneseeker2]

I have shared my concerns!!!!!

[@TaxAssurances]

Great coverage of our tax dollars. Do this every night!!

[@elainezaks420]

Hospice is NOT what it started out to be. Every family/patient should inquire at outset as to how any particular hospice program approaches end of life care.

[@stache1954]

Texas you vote for this.

[@mmcleod8148]

Non-profit hospices are the way to go. There are too many for profit hospices.

[@MrJenniferwahl8]

Investigate these jerks

[@roboticintertainment]

Texas needs to be investigated inside and out. Get these swamp things out of office, congress, government, and every counsel. We need real regulations and discipline for companies and people fraudiNG starting with Trump. Let his stooges expose who they are and get themselves locked up since they wanna sacrifice themselves let them sacrifice themselves behind bars since they so fond of the prison system.

[@melvymarlow5065]

I hate greedy people 🤬

[@TJWinter1221]

I truly believe that it's better to take care of your loved ones than put them in hospice. As far as I'm concerned hospice is a death sentence. If they become sick, just take them to the hospital and once they become better they can come back home. They will live A LOT LONGER. I guarantee it! Elderly abuse and fraud is a lot more common than you think. When no one is looking, it happens. That's why a lot of the elderly remain home or often choose to be independent as long as possible.

[@maximilian333]

Non-profit Hospices with Unionized workers are what is needed here to assure quality care. Period.

[@vanessahudson860]

...as soon as they stop investigating each other .....

[@DangerDave-e7u]

Money Power Politics

[@daphnewilson7966]

Hey, it worked great for Rick Scott, and he's a Senator! This is why the law needs to be enforced on all. What was there to make these guys think twice?

[@kelleywatkins6001]

any atty that can help me...let me know over hospice

[@ronald4700]

250 bucks thats what your family members are worth.jail would be to easy no humanity.

[@kelleywatkins6001]

Amy attorneys out tgere... I need you.... you'll jump on my case

[@libbyannadams]

They, Hospice is full of BS.

[@hopesprings4155]

TEXAS; now there's a surprise.😮

[@juniorharry5066]

Hi Steph 🐞.👋 ☺. Steph, i like your world war 2 poster. 'We can do it'.👍.

[@marianneb.7112]

Goth Pilgrim? What are you wearing?

[@patrickwalsh4615]

You can't live in america without crippling debt, you can't die without it either 💩

[@wynetsang]

Taking advantage of vulnerable people is a good capitalist behavior. You do not make money to become rich in fair trade.

[@Jarial7]

The living God rest her soul and make an honoured place beside him

[@unicornbaby6500]

Import Mexico - get Mexico.

[@stephaniehampton3525]

You mean this is NOT Trump's fault???? 😂😂😂

[@Ghostintheshell3551]

Close the borders !!!!!! lets go brandon

[@feanacar]

Never seen a hospice nurse spend more than 40 minutes with any patient

[@maximilian333]

Thats a shame. I am lucky to work for a nonprofit.

[@whyamiheredlb]

Great story Stephanie, thank you!!!