February 2, for me the hardest day of the year. This is the day Mom was born, and this year she would be celebrating her eighty second birthday. It will always be a time I reflect on the terrible treatment Mom suffered at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. It makes me cringe every time I hear that someone is being admitted there or any SanStone property. Although, I'm sure that most of the nursing homes here and elsewhere are just as bad or worse.
The problem in Mom's situation was lack of proper care and little if any assistance. The owners of SanStone Health and Rehabilitation are getting filthy rich at the cost of peoples lives. They are paying low wages, hiring people with criminal records, and staffing at ridiculously low levels.
The doctors, like Dr. Larry Joe Russell, never actually see their patients. The care if you call it that is provided by FNP's or PA's under the " supervision " of doctors like Larry Joe. In 2013 Dr. Russell was the number one Family Practice biller of Medicare in the entire State of North Carolina. His stable of F.N.P's and P.A.'s are in the top ten billers of Medicare the same year.
The pharmacy that provides the majority of the prescriptions at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation is also high on the list. Blue ridge Pharmacy is the company, and the owner, just happened to also be under the supervision of Dr. Russell. Robert Dean Clayton was a CPP, ( certified prescribing pharmacist) and was listed by the NC Medical Board as a supervisee of Dr. Russell. Blue Ridge Pharmacy went from being a small hole in the wall to a walk in clinic and pharmacy.
I have nothing against companies making profits for the services they provide. I do however have a problem with companies making a profit without actually providing the services that are charged for.
The problem with all of the above is that all of this happens with the blessing of the NCDHSR. These are the folks charged with enforcement of regulations concerning nursing homes. My brother and I both filed separate complaints with the NCDHSR. We had supporting statements and documentation concerning violations concerning Moms care at Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation. The results were " no deficiencies found " on both of our complaints.
This prompted a meeting with the Western Regional director of the NCDHSR. After meeting with Gail Maloney in Black Mountain, and providing her with our evidence, a review was started. The final results were mailed to us. The Dr. who reviewed the file, sent three separate letters and not one of them had the correct information.
This prompted us to pursue any and all other resources to get the attention this deserved. First contact was the FBI, resulting in a two and a half meeting with a special agent in Asheville. This meeting was extremely uplifting and the agent was certain we provided enough information to merit an investigation. We also filed a complaint with the OIG ( office of inspector general ). The FBI and OIG have a joint task force called HEAT, that investigates Medicare Fraud.
In addition to these two agencies we contacted the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services, and the Department of Health and Human Services. We also contacted Congressman Heath Shuler and Congressman Mark Meadows office. We tried every thing possible to make some sort of difference to honor Mom. After devoting countless hours researching and making calls, it became apparent that nothing was going to be done.
I have had many comments on this blog from people experiencing the same or worse. I have continued to post in hope that someone would read this who could help make a difference. If that is you please feel free to contact me. Peace!
Happy Birthday Mom!
