F0579 F579: Provide information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
D

Failure to Ensure Accurate Billing and Timely Refunds for Private Room Charges

Pruitthealth - AustellAustell, Georgia Survey Completed on 07-02-2025

Summary

The facility failed to ensure accurate billing and timely refunds for a resident who was admitted and later discharged after a short stay. The resident’s family member requested a private room and paid $3,720 as requested by the facility, with the understanding that all other charges would be covered by Medicare and supplemental insurance. Despite this, the family member later received a bill for over $56,000, reflecting an erroneous charge for 484 days of private room care, when the actual stay was only 22 days. The family member contacted the facility multiple times regarding the excessive bill. Upon review, the Business Office Manager confirmed that a billing entry error had occurred, resulting in the resident being billed for far more days than were actually provided. Documentation showed that the bill was sent to collections for the unjustified amount. Eventually, a partial refund of $992 was issued to the resident. The facility’s admission agreement stated that overpayments would be refunded as soon as possible after insurance claims were verified and paid, but the refund was not provided in a timely manner.

Penalty

No penalty information released
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:

See other F0579 citations
Missing Medicare and Medicaid Posting Information
C
F0579 F579: Provide information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Short Summary

A facility failed to display required written information for residents and/or their responsible person on how to apply for Medicare and Medicaid benefits and how to receive refunds for previous payments covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Surveyors observed the missing information on the First Floor, Second Floor nursing unit, and Fourth Floor nursing unit, and the NHA confirmed the omission.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Post Required Medicare/Medicaid Information for Residents
B
F0579 F579: Provide information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Short Summary

Surveyors found that the facility did not display required written information in common posting areas, such as the lobby and hallways near nursing units, explaining how residents and their representatives can apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits and obtain refunds for previous payments covered by those programs. During an interview, the NHA confirmed that this information was not posted anywhere in the building, resulting in noncompliance with state requirements for licensee responsibility and management.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Display Medicare and Medicaid Benefit Information
C
F0579 F579: Provide information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Short Summary

The facility did not display required written information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits, or how to receive refunds for previous payments covered by these benefits. This was confirmed during observations and an interview with the NHA.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Display Required Medicare and Medicaid Information
C
F0579 F579: Provide information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Short Summary

The facility did not display written information on how to apply for Medicare and Medicaid benefits or how to receive refunds for previous payments covered by these programs on either the West Wing or East Wing. This was confirmed by observation and staff interview.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Display Required Medicare and Medicaid Information
E
F0579 F579: Provide information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Short Summary

The facility did not display written information for residents or their responsible persons on how to apply for Medicare and Medicaid benefits or obtain refunds for payments covered by these programs, as confirmed by observation and the DON.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Display Medicare and Medicaid Application Information
D
F0579 F579: Provide information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Short Summary

The facility did not display required written information about applying for Medicare and Medicaid benefits or obtaining refunds for previous payments covered by these programs on both nursing floors, as confirmed by observations and the NHA.

Fine: $37,480
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

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