Reporting Gaps Revealed for Abuse Allegations in Certified Medicare/Medicaid Hospices Action News Jax

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WASHINGTON DC — A new surveillance report reveals gaps in reporting allegations of abuse and neglect at Medicare and Medicaid-certified hospices.

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) report highlights two issues.

First, he said that these hospices are only required to report allegations of abuse or neglect to the state if the alleged perpetrator is affiliated with the hospice, which means it does not apply if the suspect is a caregiver or family member.

Second, the report says that if the case involves someone affiliated with hospice, hospices are only required to report it after hospice has completed an internal investigation, which can take up to five days.

He points out that this is different from nursing homes and hospitals, which are required to immediately report all allegations of abuse or neglect and whether or not they are directly involved with a hospice staff member.

Because of these shortcomings, reports from palliative care providers may be less comprehensive or less timely than those from nursing homes and hospitals providing extended care, the report said.

In response to the findings, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) pointed to the complexity of the process.

Abuse and neglect should never be tolerated, HHS said in its response.

But the Department goes on to say that state requirements drive reporting rules, saying: Additional reporting requirements can create confusion for those required to report as well as for hospice programs and agencies and state officials responsible for taking action and investigating allegations of abuse and neglect.

HHS said it was revising its reporting guidelines.

Cox Media Group 2023

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