Two Pennsylvania residents of the same last name were recently arrested for stealing $15,000 from a woman in a nursing home. The pair’s scheme involved telling the victim that she was not eligible for Medicare because she had too much money in her bank account. After obtaining a power of attorney from the victim, the man obtained a cashier’s check in the amount of $15,000 from the victim’s bank.
Based on the arresting documents, after the power of attorney was revoked, the pair were requested to repay the $15,000. The man wrote a check, but it was rejected due to insufficient funds. County Protective Services got involved, and through their efforts the man later re-paid $5,000 to the victim; however, $10,000 of the amount stolen remains outstanding.
State police have charged the woman with two felony counts of theft and one felony count of receiving stolen property. The man is charged with one felony count each of theft and receiving stolen property.
Preliminary hearings scheduled for the pair were continued due to the pair unexpectedly not having an attorney. They both are currently free on unsecured bail.
Compliance Perspective
Failure by nursing home staff to inform residents of their eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid, and failure to protect and manage residents’ personal funds, might be considered a breach of residents’ rights and provision of substandard quality of care, in violation of state and federal regulation.
Discussion Points
- Review policies and procedures regarding advising residents at admission of the facility’s responsibility to protect and manage their personal funds, if they choose this option, and of their eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid.
- Train staff regarding the facility’s responsibility to protect and manage residents’ personal funds and to be alert and report suspected schemes by outsiders/family members to steal money from residents.
- Periodically audit by interviewing residents who are able to communicate to determine if they may be unsuspecting victims of fraudulent schemes to exploit them of their financial resources.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS TOPIC: RESIDENT FINANCIAL RIGHTS
