An investigation conducted by the Maryland Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit revealed concerning findings at a nursing home in Ellicott City. The facility, owned by CommuniCare, was found to be providing substandard care, violating the law, and defrauding taxpayers. As a result of the investigation, the owner of the Ellicott City Healthcare Center agreed to have the facility monitored for three years as part of a settlement.
This is not the first time CommuniCare facilities have come under scrutiny. Last year, the I-Team investigated the Clinton Healthcare Center location in Maryland, where close to 200 D.C. residents on Medicaid are sent each year. Patients and their families have reported issues with conditions inside the facility, including minimal bathing, uncleanliness, and missed or incorrect treatments.
The state inspection of the Clinton Healthcare Center revealed 35 health citations, twice the state average and four times the national average. Stevanne Ellis, Maryland’s former Long-Term Care Ombudsman, expressed concern over the high number of citations, advising families to thoroughly research facilities before choosing one for their loved ones.
In response to the investigation, Zak Shirley from the Maryland Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit stated that the state took historic action against the Ellicott City Healthcare Center. The facility settled with the state, agreeing to pay $400,000 and undergo third-party independent oversight for three years to ensure compliance with standards.
CommuniCare has stated their commitment to providing high-quality care for residents and has implemented changes to address the issues raised in the investigations. However, Shirley mentioned that his office is monitoring other nursing home chains and private facilities for similar problems.
Despite claims of improvements at the Clinton Healthcare Center and other facilities, former residents like Demetirus Hanna have expressed dissatisfaction with the care they received. Hanna checked himself out of the facility early due to ongoing issues.
Overall, the investigations into CommuniCare facilities highlight the importance of thorough research and oversight when choosing long-term care facilities for loved ones. Families are encouraged to visit potential facilities unannounced, review state inspection reports, and advocate for the well-being of residents in these facilities.