Aging Parents and Elder Care | Senior Elder Care

Elder Care Business Owners Should Not Pay Referral Fees

A ruling, on the books since 1972, called the Safe Harbor Provisions states, in part, "the federal anti-kickback law's main purpose is to protect patients and the federal health care programs from fraud and abuse by curtailing the corrupting influence of money on health care decisions"... it goes on to say, ... "anyone who knowingly and willfully receives or pays anything of value to influence the referral of federal health care program business, including Medicare and Medicaid, can be held accountable for a felony. See http://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/docs/safeharborregulations/safefs.htm

Violations of the law are punishable by up to five years in prison, criminal fines up to $25,000, administrative civil money penalties up to $50,000, and exclusion from participation in federal health care programs."

A referral service serves both the senior and the elder care service provider in this manner:

Service providers register with the referral service

A senior searching for a service is asked for their location

The referral company now emails, phones or faxes each service within the desired zip code to provide you with this referral. (You are provided the name, phone number and address of the senior)

You and your staff quickly respond - you know if you get there first, you have a higher chance of contracting with the senior

The senior now receives multiple sales calls from nice people who all say the same thing, "You should choose my company because we are the best"

You contract with the senior

The referral company now sends you a bill. The bill is normally based on the dollar amount you charge the senior.

(Example: An assisted living facility that charges $3,000 per month will typically owe the referral service a fee of $1,500. Their neighbor, the assisted living facility across the street charges $1,500 per month and will owe the same referral service a fee for $750.00 for the same client, same service)

Representatives of referral companies normally earn commissions. This can also pose a concern. If a family's income depended on earning a high commission, the temptation may be there to direct a senior to a service that

a. Charges more

b. Where the staff has a history of 'closing' the sale.

If your business is searching for a legal method to connect with the senior market, see http://www.qualityeldercare.com Searching for a service? See http://www.seniorsapprove.com

Founder of Quality Care Options - the first and only company nationwide that offers a consumer-driven survey and certification process.

Elder Care Expert Recommends Using Tax Time to Start Discussing Money with Aging Parents
For many Boomers bringing up the subject of finances with their aging parents seems like a daunting task. Elder care expert Esther Koch recommends using Uncle Sam as the ice breaker.

Manners 101 – Working in the Elder Care Industry
Good old-fashion manners are essential when working in the elder care industry.The average age group of a senior receiving direct services or care directly is from 78 to 86.

Paying For Elder Care Just Got Easier
It's not a surprise that thousands of families across the nation are facing the challlenges of an aging population. The "sandwich" generation, those who are caring for their children as well as their parents, have been feeling the financial pinch of caring for loved ones.

New Resource for Ohio Health and Elder Care Providers
Whether selling to or providing services for senior citizens in Ohio, business owners now have a powerful method to reach potential clients.

Related:

Manners 101 – Working in the Elder Care Industry
Good old-fashion manners are essential when working in the elder care industry.The average age group of a senior receiving direct services or care directly is from 78 to 86.

Paying For Elder Care Just Got Easier
It's not a surprise that thousands of families across the nation are facing the challlenges of an aging population. The "sandwich" generation, those who are caring for their children as well as their parents, have been feeling the financial pinch of caring for loved ones.

New Resource for Ohio Health and Elder Care Providers
Whether selling to or providing services for senior citizens in Ohio, business owners now have a powerful method to reach potential clients.

Hot in this network: