LifeCare Lapse Puts It On Lifeline

   The state and federal government leveled severe monetary penalties for multiple violations against LifeCare Center of Chattanooga. These punitive actions are so substantial the end of business is a considerable possiblity  for the nursing home at 455 North Highland Park Avenue.

     Medicaid and Medicare also cancelled their contracts.That means 110 people must find a new place to live in the next month.

     57 year old Marcia Finley has lived at this LifeCare Center for the last 11 years. Multiple strokes and three heart attacks put her here. Every day her sister visits and she is not satisfied with her care.

   Alberta Martin described the care as, "Not that good, not that good, I have to be honest. I have to ask them to give her a bath, sometimes I come here and she is smelling."

    The state found 21 violations after a complaint and in its annual inspection. The infractions included administrative, performance improvement, physician services, nursing services, medical records and pharmaceutical services. But the most severe monetary penalty is ending the Medicaid-Medicare contract.

     Medicare pays for most of the 110 patients here, including Finley. Executive director Randy Rouse admitted this is severe action, but doesn't understand why the Centers For Medicare Services didn't give them the typical 23 days to correct mistakes. Rouse said, "However, we felt the process has been truncated by CMS for whatever reason." When asked if the lack of recourse had been explained by Centers For Medicare Services, Rouse said: "They said that was their prerogative."

    Medicare says it gave LifeCare only two days because the violations were of the quote highest level and greatest severity. The government says the investigation showed no physical harm to patients, but its report filled 250 pages.

     Now, Finley and everyone else living here must find new homes in one month. And 190 people will likely have to find new jobs. Rouse said, "It's very emotional for them, these residents are like family to them."

And Alberta must find a new home for her baby sister, who she calls her heart. She says so many lives have been upended. Martin said, "Now, they've built a foundation here and it's just like being evicted, being put outside, the rug is being dragged away from them, they don't know what to do, they don't know which way to go."

    Alberta hopes she can get her sister into St. Barnabas where she once worked. Meanwhile, we discovered the federal government has fined Life Care $6,300 a day. That is retroactive to January 20th and totals $1.28 million.

     That can be appealed and Life Care has not technically been shut down, but can now only accept private paying patients. The government says in cases like this, most nursing homes close.