Failure to Pay Essential Service Bills Jeopardizes Resident Safety
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to pay bills in a timely manner for services essential to the residents' health and safety, as evidenced by a review of the facility's accounts payable ledger and interviews with administrative staff. The outstanding balances included significant amounts owed to various service providers such as Citizens Ambulance, REA for electric service, Suburban Propane, US Foods, Liberty Healthcare, Medvan Transport, RCP O2, Twin Med, Supply Line, Penn Highlands Dubois, Hugill Sanitation, and ICMSA. These unpaid bills resulted in termination notices and service disruptions, which could jeopardize the residents' well-being. An email communication revealed that the facility had fallen behind in payments to Citizen's Ambulance Service, leading to a halt in non-emergent transportation services until the payment was settled. Additionally, a billing statement from REA indicated a significant arrears balance, and a termination notice from the Indiana County Municipal Authority highlighted an overdue water bill. Interviews with the Nursing Home Administrator and Business Office Manager confirmed the existence of these outstanding balances and the receipt of termination notices due to nonpayment. The facility had to change medical suppliers and transportation services when services were terminated for nonpayment.
Plan Of Correction
The facility cannot retroactively correct. The residents' health and safety were / are not jeopardized due to this practice. The disposition of the listed invoices are: - Citizens Ambulance - invoice to be paid December 30. - REA Energy - $3872.83 was due within the past week and was paid in full. - Suburban Propane - Was paid on 12/4 and delivery received on 12/6. - US Foods - This vendor has always been on autopay and has never been late. - Liberty Healthcare - This is a consulting firm that ended service in August of 2022. They were assigned to review the buyout and not clinically related. - MedVan - Up to date, invoice payment made. - RCP 02 - paid up and regular deliveries every Friday prior to survey and since. - Twin Med - Invoice paid December 2. - Supply Line - invoice paid under payment agreement. - Penn Highlands Dubois - We don't know what this is for as they are not a vendor. - Hugill Sanitation - no service break, invoices up to date. - ICMSA - Invoice paid 12/3/24 with no break in service at any time. The accounts payable ledger was reviewed for any other outstanding invoices with shut-off notices and none were found. REA Energy, the provider that initiated this survey, was put on the auto-pay list so their invoices will be automatically paid upon receipt. The Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) or designee will educate the Operator (person responsible for approving payment to vendors) on timely bill payment for invoices incurred in the operation of the facility that for services without which the residents' health and safety would be jeopardized. The NHA or designee will audit the monthly payment arrangement to ensure payments are made to the vendor per the arrangement plan. These audits will be performed monthly for three months, and the results of these audits will be reviewed by the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement committee for adherence or further action. The plan of correction date of compliance will be January 7, 2025.