Preventing Patient Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation

News coverage from around the state this week has shed light on a serious problem facing our elderly and vulnerable population. It is appalling that trusted caregivers could abuse, neglect or exploit those who cannot fend for themselves.

My Medicaid Fraud Control Unit’s Patient Abuse Neglect and Exploitation (PANE) team actively investigates these types of claims involving Medicaid recipients or a Medicaid-funded facility. Annually, the team reviews over 13,000 complaints of patient abuse, neglect and exploitation. Since 2007, the PANE team has issued 77 arrest warrants for individuals causing harm to residents of assisted living facilities or other care facilities.

Putting a family member in an assisted living or care facility is never an easy decision to make. Floridians should be able to trust that their loved ones are receiving the care and respect they deserve. If you suspect a loved one is being harmed in an assisted living facility, I encourage you to contact my office at either 1-866-966-7226 or on the web at www.myfloridalegal.com so that we can help.