Assisted living community leaves Medicaid program, residents now looking for new homes – WYFF4 Greenville
Nearly two dozen elderly residents are looking for a new home after Easley Place Assisted Living says they will no longer participate in the Medicaid program.On May 24, residents and families received a letter stating the facilities’ intentions to drop out of the program to cut cost. “Providing appropriate care for our residents is essential and unfortunately, the costs associated with our care model far exceed the reimbursement from Medicaid,” said Robert Jones, President & COO with Frontline Management. “Although we made adjustments over the last 18 months, it is simply not sustainable to care for Medicaid residents.” The change is effective July 31 and will impact up to 20 residents residing at The Village Assisted Living – one of the two Assisted Living neighborhoods on the Easley Place campus. Kendra Scheivert’s sister Sudy has been living at the facility for 14 years. Sudy is battling MS and is currently under hospice care. She has less than 60 days to find a new home that accepts Medicaid residents.”A lot of the places are full or they have 2 to 3 year waiting lists,” said Scheivert. “We’re really struggling.” Scheivert also says administrators at Easley Place should’ve told the families about the change before telling the residents.She says the residents were given the letter as they sat down for lunch one day.”Sudy said they expected them to eat while half of them were crying and half of them were in shock.””It might’ve been a little bit easier if they’d have told us first,” said Scheivert. “Let me go to her and tell her I will do my best to get you somewhere that you will be happy. This will all be ok.”Ronnie Brown, campus executive director stated, “We are working collaboratively with the residents and families to find effective, safe and desirable placement for these residents.” “We have certainly experienced residents and families who are frustrated and disappointed with this decision,” said Brown. “This is not an easy decision and we want to go about it as compassionately and as kind and caring as we can.” The non-Medicaid residents at the Village will be moved to The Park assisted living neighborhood that is also on the Easley Place campus.
EASLEY, S.C. —
Nearly two dozen elderly residents are looking for a new home after Easley Place Assisted Living says they will no longer participate in the Medicaid program.
On May 24, residents and families received a letter stating the facilities’ intentions to drop out of the program to cut cost.
“Providing appropriate care for our residents is essential and unfortunately, the costs associated with our care model far exceed the reimbursement from Medicaid,” said Robert Jones, President & COO with Frontline Management. “Although we made adjustments over the last 18 months, it is simply not sustainable to care for Medicaid residents.”
The change is effective July 31 and will impact up to 20 residents residing at The Village Assisted Living – one of the two Assisted Living neighborhoods on the Easley Place campus.
Kendra Scheivert’s sister Sudy has been living at the facility for 14 years. Sudy is battling MS and is currently under hospice care. She has less than 60 days to find a new home that accepts Medicaid residents.
“A lot of the places are full or they have 2 to 3 year waiting lists,” said Scheivert. “We’re really struggling.”
Scheivert also says administrators at Easley Place should’ve told the families about the change before telling the residents.
She says the residents were given the letter as they sat down for lunch one day.
“Sudy said they expected them to eat while half of them were crying and half of them were in shock.”
“It might’ve been a little bit easier if they’d have told us first,” said Scheivert. “Let me go to her and tell her I will do my best to get you somewhere that you will be happy. This will all be ok.”
Ronnie Brown, campus executive director stated, “We are working collaboratively with the residents and families to find effective, safe and desirable placement for these residents.”
“We have certainly experienced residents and families who are frustrated and disappointed with this decision,” said Brown.
“This is not an easy decision and we want to go about it as compassionately and as kind and caring as we can.”
The non-Medicaid residents at the Village will be moved to The Park assisted living neighborhood that is also on the Easley Place campus.
