USA Today (6/25, Nadolny, Kwiatkowski) reports the long-term care industry “has scrambled to contend with mounting costs” amid the COVID-19 pandemic, with many seeking to pass these expenses on to residents.
Residents and families in at least eight states “have complained to their state attorney general or long-term care ombudsman about unfair billing practices related to the pandemic.” Complaints “include facilities raising rent for all residents, charging for meal delivery and personal protective equipment, siphoning stimulus checks and requiring residents to pay for 24-hour care before they can return from the hospital.” The Inquirer (PA) (6/25, Burling) reports “the Pennsylvania Department of Health announced this week that it will pay.