A Critical Q&A: Asking the Right Questions about Care Plans to Get Important Answers for Your Loved Ones

In our last blog, we shared details about a major wound care company settling with the U.S. Department of Justice for $45 million over allegations of unnecessary procedures and fraudulent billing in nursing homes. Following that blog, a question that commonly rose to the surface was, "How would I even know if something like this was happening to my loved one?”

At Sawyer Law Firm, we believe in keeping families informed and empowered. If you have a parent or loved one in a nursing home or long-term care facility, here is a more detailed look at how to ask the right questions and seek important answers.

A Critical Q&A about Care Plans

If you suspect your loved one may have received unnecessary or harmful treatment in a nursing home, you can - and should - ask for additional information.

• Are you seeing frequent or unexplained wound care procedures?

  • Ask: Was this recommended by their primary physician? Has the wound worsened?

• Have you noticed a rapid changes in medical providers?

  • Ask: I've noticed a an unfamiliar doctor - please explain how they are participating in the care plan. (This could signal third-party contractors cycling through.)

• Does documentation match your visit?

  • Ask: The care plan mentions a procedure I don't know about. Can you provide clarification in writing?

• Is your loved one confused or in distress after routine treatments?

  • Ask: My loved one is more [upset, in pain, sedated] than usual. How and why is this treatment impacting them differently?

When the Answers Aren't Enough

The Vohra settlement is a warning, but it’s also a call to action. If the answers to your questions aren't enough for you to feel confident in your loved one's care, you can take additional steps.

• Request the full medical record. You have a right to ask the facility for your loved one’s chart, care logs, and treatment orders.

• Ask who’s billing Medicare. In cases like Vohra’s, it’s not always the nursing home but outside specialists brought in. Ask for names and credentials.

• Check the billing codes. CPT codes (used for billing) can signal what procedures were done. If you see surgical codes but don't understand, dig deeper.

• Document everything. Take notes after every visit. Record who was present, what was said, and any visible signs of procedures.

• Speak up early. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t wait. Request a care plan meeting. Contact an elder law attorney.

At Sawyer Law Firm, we’ve seen too many cases where profit was prioritized over patient safety. We work with medical experts and investigators to uncover what really happened and fight for justice when care crosses the line.

Call today for a confidential consultation. It’s not just about one case. It’s about protecting every resident from becoming just another line item on someone else’s billing sheet.