Failure to Provide Social Services Assistance for Resident Financial Understanding
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide medically related social services to assist a resident with understanding their financial matters, despite the resident having severe visual impairment and a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. The resident was cognitively intact but had severely impaired vision, and relied on an individual (Collateral Contact) to assist with finances. When the facility contacted this individual for financial information, the individual declined further involvement. There was no documentation that the facility had assisted the resident in understanding facility charges or their financial situation, even though the resident had not made a payment in over a year and expressed confusion about billing. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the Business Office Manager had not collaborated with Social Services regarding the resident's financial issues, and the Social Service Manager stated they had not assisted the resident because the resident had not specifically requested help. The resident reported not receiving clear explanations about billing and expressed difficulty managing finances due to visual impairment. The facility's records lacked evidence of any efforts to help the resident understand their financial responsibilities, and staff acknowledged the absence of such documentation.