Registered nurses (RNs) perform a variety of duties for their patients, including performing physical exams, taking health histories, giving medication, and taking care of wounds just to name a few. They are also responsible for understanding important health information and making critical decisions about patients under their care. Patients rely on RNs to take care of them and ease their situations, not victimize them. (That is definitely not in the job description.)An article posted on DaileyComet.com tells about an RN who took advantage of his patients by participating in a gigantic scheme to steal about $30.3 million from Medicare.
The male RN was employed by a home health company. While employed, he was responsible for assessing health status, initiating care plans, evaluating needs and providing nursing care for his patients. What he actually did was provide false recertification for patients under his care. He submitted paperwork to his home health care employer that included false medication changes, condition flare ups and documentation that stated his patients were homebound. (Because of his bogus reports, his patients were recertified so that they could continue to receive home health care.)
The RN was not alone in his efforts to defraud Medicare, but part of a $30.3 million scam that involved another 13 RNs indicted on the same charges. Incidentally, they worked for the same home health care company in Louisiana. (Where there is one fraudster, you can count on finding a few others nearby. News of free money travels fast.)
The 43-year-old RN pleaded guilty to health care fraud and faces up to 10 years in prison. He could also have to complete three years of supervised release following his prison term and be ordered to pay a $250,000 fine.
Perhaps this guy was a really good nurse in terms of providing health care, but he definitely failed when it comes to being ethical. He signed on to be a nurse who takes great care of his ailing patients, not a fraudster who victimizes and takes from those under his watch. Now, it’s time to thank the government for taking care of this fraudster and his 13 co-defendants.
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