Pennsylvania nursing home settles with the government

A Philadelphia-area nursing home agreed to pay the government $50,000 in a civil settlement for inadequate treatment and prevention of pressure wounds and falls, according to the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. This is the attorney general's thirteenth settlement with nursing homes based on 'failure of care' in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania within the last eight years, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

Majestic Oaks of Warminster, PA, also agreed to spend $25,000 within one year to enhance residents' quality of life and $50,000 in consulting fees to third-party consultants selected by the government to assess its compliance for at least a year.

Under the False Claims Act, the government alleged that the nursing home billed Medicare and Medicaid for inadequate services between July 2002 and June 2003. The nursing home denied the accusations, but agreed to the settlement to avoid litigation.

To see the settlement, go to: www.usdoj.gov/usao/pae/News/Pr/2004/jun/jun04.html.