Is it legal for Nursing Home Admissions People to take bribes?

Ask what circumstances. Put him on the spot. If it's bad, report him

Extortion is illegal no matter how you look at it......but perhaps he just doesn't know how to say "I can make the pathway through the red tape and paperwork a little easier". golfbhard is right.......tell him you need clarification....what circumstances? If he says that to begin with then he shouldn't have any qualms about telling you what they are!

I'd find another place. That's a red flag to me. If this is what you think it is the bribery will continue if you set it up in the beginning. He'll think you're willing to pay to get you way and you'll become his target.

To ask that question is to answer it!

Agree with Hannah44, this is a BIG red flag! If the administrator is corrupt, how then are the people who are going to be giving the day to day care of your loved one?! Walk away from that place!

The bribery that took place in my family was from my very evil, sociopathic x-sister who I believe paid BRIBE money to the attorney she hired to get my mom qualified for FREE state run assistance. Mom simply had too much money to qualify so the lawyer only reported half moms assets. She is currently turned into the BAR Association. Red flags in your case are right out in the open. Stay away. Run Forest Run!!

I agree with the general thought process here. Looking for another place seems like a good idea.
Carol

If I am thinking correctly the word BRIBE in and of itself would refer to something ILLEGAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just to play "devil's advocate", did he use the word bribe, or was that your interpretation? Perhaps he just meant that he has the knowledge and experience to make your life easier, navigating the system. Because it all can be very confusing!!!!!!!!!!

you need to ask him to tell you what the "right circumstances" are, Exactly, WORD FOR WORD. a tiny little recorder would help. if you do it over the phone, some cell phone have recorders in them.

Be aware of the laws in your own state, however. In some states it is not legal to record without the other person's knowledge. In that case take a "witness" with you.

If the facility is full and there is a waiting list it's not uncommon for some to accept money to "bump" your loved one higher up the list and speed up the process. Illegal- possibly not...unethical definitely. Many of these home also receive payoffs from home health care companies to be the sole providers and recommend their agency's aides to residents and family members.

I would contact the elder care ombudsmans office and tell them exactly what the man said to you and they will take it from there. Our President asked us to get involved and it is our duty to not just run Forest run but Tell Forest tell...your elder care ombudsman. They know how to investigate places like this. and you could be helping alot of folks in your state..

search your state statute online to see if they have a law like this. And, as a favor to others, on your way out, report this facility to the authorities to clean this place up.

The 2012 Florida Statutes

Title XXIX
PUBLIC HEALTH Chapter 400
NURSING HOMES AND RELATED HEALTH CARE FACILITIES View Entire Chapter

400.17 Bribes, kickbacks, certain solicitations prohibited.—(1) As used in this section, the term:
(a) “Bribe” means any consideration corruptly given, received, promised, solicited, or offered to any individual with intent or purpose to influence the performance of any act or omission.
(b) “Kickback” means that part of the payment for items or services which is returned to the payor by the provider of such items or services with the intent or purpose to induce the payor to purchase the items or services from the provider.
(2) Whoever furnishes items or services directly or indirectly to a nursing home resident and solicits, offers, or receives any:
(a) Kickback or bribe in connection with the furnishing of such items or services or the making or receipt of such payment; or
(b) Return of part of an amount given in payment for referring any such individual to another person for the furnishing of such items or services;
is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by fine not exceeding $5,000, or both.

(3) No person shall, in connection with the solicitation of contributions to nursing homes, willfully misrepresent or mislead anyone, by any manner, means, practice, or device whatsoever, to believe that the receipts of such solicitation will be used for charitable purposes, if such is not the fact.
(4) Solicitation of contributions of any kind in a threatening, coercive, or unduly forceful manner by or on behalf of a nursing home by any agent, employee, owner, or representative of a nursing home shall be grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation of the license for any nursing home on behalf of which such contributions were solicited.
(5) The admission, maintenance, or treatment of a nursing home resident whose care is supported in whole or in part by state funds may not be made conditional upon the receipt of any manner of contribution or donation from any person. However, this may not be construed to prohibit the offer or receipt of contributions or donations to a nursing home which are not related to the care of a specific resident. Contributions solicited or received in violation of this subsection shall be grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation of a license for any nursing home on behalf of which such contributions were solicited.

Having worked in Nursing Care Facilitys for over 20 years, I know it is illegial for anyone to bribe. solicate or infer any additional funds from the families other than what the state and their personal funds can allow. Nurses are prevented from the oath to refuse any tip or additional funds besides their own pay checks!

Uh, no. Not legal.

I am sure bribery is in alot of places, not just nursing homes. Not that it is right but people do it and other people take the bribe just to get to where they need to be. Keep looking for another place. In the meantime, keep his name and number so you can report him after you have secured a place for your Loved One. It would be cool if you could go undercover with a tape recording and get that statement on there, otherwise it will be your word against his and somehow I think the NH will win. Once you report him of course, your mom won't be allowed to be there probably.

I looked for the nurses oath about not taking funds without success. can anyone find it?

Do CNA's take an oath?

That kind of statement would make me VERY concerned about the quality of care my loved one was getting. There are quality indicators that nursing homes must abide by to assure good care.... Is he skirting those as well???

"Under the right circumstances" is very vague.
My mom got right into the place we applied, these are the right circumstances she presented with. Good insurance, good credit, current physical, clear TB test, clearance from the long term care insurance of the facility and my mothers degree of need, my co-signing the agreement to pay, willingness to take a unit far from the dining hall and not on the view side of the building, no needing a parking space, not needing someone to assist her with bathing and feeding, willing to bring her own furnishings, willing to take a studio or a one bedroom unit.
Anyone of these would have held up her application and would have allowed someone to jump over her, if they were ready.
It is just like buying a house, you have to be ready to cooperate, the loan agent and the escrow all know how hard the process is and are willing to help, but you have to be ready to create "the right circumstances" if you want a quick process.
Just ask more questions. Be as blunt as you need to be.

Nurses do take an oath, but Nursing Administrators are usually NOT nurses. They are business administration people.

No, NO, NO, you need to go somewhere else. I had a horrible experience with a nursing home for my husband, and had to report them, they almost killed him, and when I went for the tour, everything was great, no smell, everthing and everyone seemed very clean. Boy was I fooled. You make sure that you talk to the Administrator, nurses, tech's, and patients before you leave a loved one there, and you have to be proactive, and check up on them constantly especially with medications. Good Luck, I feel for you. God Bless. JAD711

Thanks for all the answers. I should stress that I wasn't sure that was what the man was implying. But I do feel confused about the situation. Going back over there this morning to see if I can clarify.

Should also mention that the choices around us of GOOD Nursing Homes are limited, and this one is good, by ratings and by what we saw and heard, and also very close (five minutes away) to a family member who will be checking in a lot. So to just give it up is not something that would be easy to do.

Yes, the one I used had a four star rating, and was horrible. Abuse, medication problems, forgetting to bring meals, refusing bed side rails, not bathing unless we insisted, just unbelievable,

Okay, I went back and spoke directly with the guy again. I think I was probably not right about my suspicions/confusion before. But it this may be a helpful thread for someone else in the future. Thanks again.

Hurray! T
hat is what we are here for, to help each other courageously do what we gotta do to figure out this task we never have faced before.