Author: Charles Adams

Philadelphia, PA – A Philadelphia jury’s recent $45 million verdict against Temple University Hospital is not merely a high-profile legal battle; it’s a stark reflection of a healthcare system under siege. While the case spotlights a tragic instance of medical malpractice, the broader implications extend far beyond this particular incident, threatening to undermine the quality of care for patients across the board. The escalating trend of astronomical jury awards, often termed “nuclear verdicts,” is casting a long shadow over the healthcare industry. These exorbitant payouts are placing an unsustainable financial burden on hospitals, forcing them to make difficult decisions that…

The nursing home industry, already grappling with a perfect storm of challenges including understaffing, rising costs, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, is now facing a new threat: the expansion of Civil Monetary Penalties (CMPs) by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This policy shift, while ostensibly aimed at improving quality of care, is being met with widespread alarm and concern among nursing home operators. At the heart of the issue is the financial burden imposed by these expanded penalties. Nursing homes operate on razor-thin margins, and the imposition of significant fines for even minor violations…

PointClickCare, the behemoth of electronic health records (EHR) in post-acute care, is facing a major setback. A federal judge has ordered the company to open its data to Real Time Medical Systems, a smaller analytics firm, after finding evidence of anti-competitive behavior. The ruling is a significant win for Real Time and a potential game-changer for the broader healthcare industry. It highlights growing concerns about the dominance of a single vendor in a critical sector. Judge Paula Xinis of the US District Court for Maryland accused PointClickCare of using “unsolvable CAPTCHAs” to deliberately block Real Time’s access to patient data.…

Middletown, PA – In a strategic maneuver that could reshape the senior living industry, Lutheran Senior Services (LSS) has successfully acquired the senior living operations of Diakon. This bold move propels LSS into a dominant position, solidifying its status as a national leader in senior care. The acquisition, finalized in July, brings four Diakon senior living communities under the LSS umbrella: Buffalo Valley Lutheran Village, Cumberland Crossings, The Lutheran Home at Topton, and Luther Crest. With this expansion, LSS now serves nearly 15,000 older adults, surpassing many of its competitors in scale and reach. Industry analysts are buzzing about the…

Erie, PA (July 29, 2024) – In a significant development that underscores the challenges facing the long-term care industry, Guardian Elder Care, a prominent operator of skilled nursing and rehabilitation centers, has initiated Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. The filing, encompassing multiple entities under the Guardian Elder Care umbrella, has sent shockwaves through the Pennsylvania healthcare community. Financial Distress and Legal Troubles Guardian Elder Care has been grappling with substantial financial difficulties, including mounting debts and legal challenges. The company’s largest unsecured creditor is the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, with a claim exceeding $26 million related to nursing facility assessments.…

Hurricane Ida In August 2021, Hurricane Ida, a Category 4 storm, slammed into Louisiana, leaving a trail of devastation. However, amidst the widespread damage, a different kind of horror story unfolded within the walls of a seemingly innocuous warehouse in Independence, Louisiana. This expose dives into the case of Bob Dean Jr., a nursing home owner, and his callous decision that endangered the lives of hundreds of elderly residents. Evacuation or Abandonment? As Ida approached, Dean, who owned seven nursing homes in Louisiana, made a questionable evacuation plan. Instead of securing proper shelters for his over 800 residents, many of…

Shapiro Cracks Down on Rogue Surveyors, Prioritizes Collaboration for Improved Care In a win for transparency and resident safety, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed House Bill 1853 into law this week. This bipartisan effort, spearheaded by Reps. Melissa Shusterman (D-Chester) and Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks), aims to forge a stronger, more collaborative partnership between the Department of Health and licensed nursing facilities. A History of Discrepancies? While the official press release doesn’t explicitly mention “rogue surveyors,” the focus on fostering collaboration suggests a potential issue with past inspection practices. Data on citation discrepancies between facilities in different regions or by individual…

Creve Coeur Nursing Home Giant Files for Bankruptcy A dark cloud has settled over the already beleaguered long-term care industry this week. Christian Horizons, a Missouri-based operator with a network of nursing homes and assisted living facilities stretching across the Midwest, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Founded in 1950 with a mission of providing “compassionate care for seniors,” Christian Horizons’ demise paints a grim picture of the financial struggles plaguing this critical sector. Business as Usual… For Now: Residents in Limbo Despite the bankruptcy filing, Christian Horizons, with over 1,000 residents across its dozen facilities in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,…

PharMerica on the Hook for Alleged SNF “Swapping” Scheme PharMerica, a major pharmacy provider for long-term care facilities (SNFs), is shelling out a hefty $100 million to settle a decade-old lawsuit. The accusations? Engaging in a kickback scheme that allegedly gave them an unfair advantage in the lucrative SNF pharmacy market. The whistleblower, Marc Silver, a former SNF owner himself, claimed PharMerica was manipulating the system by undercharging facilities for Medicare Part A medications. But there’s a twist: according to Silver’s lawyers, this wasn’t philanthropy. They allege PharMerica used these artificially low prices as a “loss leader” tactic to secure…

PharMerica on the Hook for Alleged SNF “Swapping” Scheme PharMerica, a major pharmacy provider for long-term care facilities (SNFs), is shelling out a hefty $100 million to settle a decade-old lawsuit. The accusations? Engaging in a kickback scheme that allegedly gave them an unfair advantage in the lucrative SNF pharmacy market. The whistleblower, Marc Silver, a former SNF owner himself, claimed PharMerica was manipulating the system by undercharging facilities for Medicare Part A medications. But there’s a twist: according to Silver’s lawyers, this wasn’t philanthropy. They allege PharMerica used these artificially low prices as a “loss leader” tactic to secure…