Anne Milgram (D)
NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram, along with the state's Division of Consumer Affairs has reached an agreement with a Tom's River-based health care firm over allegations the company violated state consumer protection laws.
The agreement was reached with Viaquest Home Health, L.L.C after an investigation revealed the company was placing unqualified employees in patients' homes.
"So many consumers depend on the caregivers provided by health care services firms. The operational changes that these firms have made, as required by their settlements with the Division, ensure that consumers will receive the level of care that they are paying for," said David Szuchman, director for the Consumer Affairs Division.
As part of the agreement, Viaquest is required to not place uncertified home health care workers with patients who require certified workers, verify the license status with each home health practitioner, verify the home health practitioner's work history and conduct a criminal background check, according to Milgram.
The company is also required to conduct a patient care needs assessment every 30 days along with completing an on-site-in home evaluation every 60 days.
Viaquest Home Health, which does business as At Home Senior Care, employs and assigns individuals to provide health care or personal care services in the home.
The settlement with Viaquest Home Health is the third such agreement reached this summer between the state's Consumer Division and health care services firms.
The state previously reached a settlement with VC Services, L.L.C., which does business as Affinity Care of New Jersey, and Preferred Health Mate, Inc.