OMIG Assists State Attorney General in Holding Long Island Nursing Home Accountable for Financial Fraud, Resident Mistreatment
The New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General’s (OMIG) investigative efforts played a key role in supporting the New York State Attorney General’s Office to secure a major settlement with a Nassau County-based nursing home accused of longstanding resident neglect, abuse, mistreatment and financial fraud.
As announced by the state Attorney General’s office, Fulton Commons Care Center, Inc., of East Meadow, Nassau County, agreed to pay up to $8.6 million and install monitors to reform the nursing home’s healthcare and financial operations after years of financial fraud and resident mistreatment.
“This enforcement action sends an unmistakable message to those who seek personal gain by preying upon vulnerable New Yorkers and exploiting the Medicaid program. My office will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to protect Medicaid recipients, save taxpayer dollars, and hold wrongdoers fully accountable,” Acting Medicaid Inspector General Frank T. Walsh Jr. said.
Between January 2018 and January 2022, according to state prosecutors, the owners of Fulton Commons orchestrated financial schemes that diverted more than $16 million in Medicaid and Medicare funding intended for patient care to themselves. As a result, the facility had insufficient staffing levels that led to resident neglect, deficiencies in care and a failure to provide basic bodily and dental hygiene or nutritional management. Moreover, vulnerable residents suffered sexual abuse and unexplained physical injuries that went unreported to law enforcement.
In addition to $1.6 million in restitution the owners and operator of Fulton Commons are required to pay as part of the settlement, the owners and operator are also required to pay up to as much as $7 million into a fund to implement the required reforms necessary to ensure the facility complies with all New York laws and improves patient care. These reforms include the appointment of an Independent Healthcare Monitor (IHM) to oversee all healthcare operations at the facility and ensure the nursing home improves resident care, an Independent Financial Monitor (IFM) to oversee Fulton Commons’ finances, and a Chief Compliance Officer responsible for ensuring the IHM’s recommendations are fully implemented and that Fulton Commons complies with all applicable federal and state laws. Violation of the terms imposed will result in daily financial fines or Fulton Commons’ exclusion from the Medicaid program.