NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – New York Attorney General A.G. Schneiderman announced that Elant Inc. will pay $600,000 over allegations that it delayed discharge of short-term residents at its facilities.
Elant, a Mid-Hudson area nursing home chain, admitted as part of the settlement that it kept patients past when they were clinically ready to leave between 2008 and 2011. It also admitted to transferring several long-term residents to a financially unstable location to boost that facility’s condition.
"Nursing homes must not put their own financial interests above those of their residents – patients who rely on them for their care and treatment – and New York taxpayers," Schneiderman said. "All nursing home residents have a right to accurate and complete information about their options. Indeed, they need that information to make informed decisions about their care. My office will find those who use patients to siphon off critical taxpayer funds."
Elant, which currently owns six nursing homes in Orange, Dutchess and Westchester counties, admitted that senior managers would direct staff to purposely limit the number of discharges per week. The delays in discharge were allegedly targeted to those with Medicaid and Medicare.