Consumer Protections
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau published protections for nursing home residents from illegal collection activities. Families should understand their rights, especially when it comes to helping a loved one gain admission to a nursing home. Some nursing homes and debt collectors are billing and suing caregivers for residents’ cost of care based on illegal admission contracts.
Whether you’re a long-term care ombudsman, care coordinator, elder law attorney, or other aging services provider, you can help caregivers:
-Spot red flags in nursing home admissions contracts.
-Find help if a debt collector tries to collect nursing home bills from them.
-Report illegal activities to federal and state authorities.
What you can do
- You can share this information with colleagues and the people you serve.
- Talk with a lawyer at your local legal aid agency or contact your local bar association.
- You can also report Nursing Home Reform Act violations to your State Nursing Home Survey Agency and file a complaint with your State Attorney General .
- If you’re having a problem with a debt collector, you can submit a complaint with the CFPB online or by calling (855) 411-CFPB (2372).