At least two Massachusetts providers are fighting back after receiving termination notices from the state’s Medicaid program over COVID-19 responses deemed unacceptable.
Hermitage HealthCare, in Worcester, MA, was one of three nursing homes to receive a notice from the state this week. Next Step Healthcare, the facility’s parent company, told local media that it was surprised and disappointed in the state’s decision and said it plans to appeal.
“We believe The Hermitage’s survey performance compares favorably with other Massachusetts skilled nursing facilities,” Next Step said in a statement. “The facility has also complied fully with all required COVID-19 testing of staff and residents and the reporting of test results.”
Town and Country Health Care Center, in Lowell, and Wareham Healthcare, in Wareham, MA, were the other nursing homes to receive termination notices for “failing to meet the standards and requirements of the MassHealth program during the COVID-19 crisis and having a historic record of poor performance,” according to the state’s Executive Office of Health and Human Services.
Wareham Healthcare also plans to appeal the decision, WBUR reported.
The state’s Nursing Facility Task Force found that the facilities had inadequate staffing ratios and poor adherence to most basic infection control practices during audits. The state also said the facilities, in some cases, refused its support when dealing with outbreaks and staffing shortages.
The notices are the first step toward eliminating a long-term care provider from the state’s MassHealth program and could result in the closure of the facilities.
“The facilities receiving notices today will have the opportunity to respond to the noticed violations, and the right to a hearing to dispute MassHealth’s findings,” the agency added.
