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Reporting Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse
The Attorney General represents the People of California in civil and criminal; matters before the trial courts, appellate courts and the supreme courts of California and the United 4States. The Attorney General also assists district attorneys, local law enforcement, and federal and international criminal justice agencies in the administration of justice. The Attorney General also establishes and operates projects and programs to protect Californians from fraudulent, unfair, and illegal activities that victimize consumers or threaten public safety. One of the programs established by the Attorney General is the Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse (BMFEA) specifically designated to help protect our most vulnerable citizens. Reporting Medi-Cal Fraud & Elder Abuse is very important to helping out the victims.
The Attorney General’s Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse (BMFEA) works aggressively to investigate and prosecute those who are robbing taxpayers of millions of dollars. They also work aggressively to protect patients in nursing homes and long-term care facilities from abuse and neglect. BMFEA is made up of three programs designed to bring increased accountability to those who abuse the elderly.
3 Different Teams of Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse (BMFEA):
Violent Crimes Unit | Facilities Enforcement Team | Operation Guardians |
Violent Crimes Unit
The Violent Crimes Unit investigates and prosecutes cases of physical elder abuse committed by individual employees against patients in elder care facilities. Examples of some of a few different types of violent crimes include:
- Homicide
- Rape
- False Imprisonment
- Assault
- Battery
Facilities Enforcement Team
The Facilities Enforcement Team investigates and prosecutes corporate entities, such as skilled nursing homes, hospitals, and residential care facilities for allowing poor practice in their facilities which lead to neglect and poor quality of care. A few examples of neglect or substandard care include:
- Failure to provide medical care for physical and mental health needs
- Poor hygiene of the residents
- Inadequate staffing
- Residents suffering from malnutrition and dehydration
- Fraudulent charting
Operation Guardians
There are approximately 1,340 skilled nursing facilities in California. As many as 300,000 Californians are cared for annually in these facilities. The primary goal of the Operation Guardians team is to protect and improve the quality of care that is being provided in each of those nursing facilities.
Reporting Elder Abuse:
By Mail
California Department of Justice
Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud Elder Abuse
P.O. Box 944255
Sacramento, CA 94244-2550
By Phone
Attorney General’s Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud & Elder Abuse
Toll-free: (800) 722-0432
Department of Health Services
Toll-free: (800) 822-6222
By Email
Reporting Medi-Cal Fraud & Elder Abuse by visiting the Attorney General’s website and filling out their On-Line Form. To submit a complaint online go to http://oag.ca.gov/bmfea/reporting
Who Investigates the Reported Abuse:
It is your legal duty to report suspected elder or dependent adult abuse. State investigations of reported instances of elder abuse in long-term health care facilities are the responsibility of:
- The Long-Term Ombudsman Program
- Local Law Enforcement
- Department of Justice
- Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse
The above agencies also forward reports of abuse to individual licensing agencies:
- Department of Health Care Services
- Department of Social Services
While the Attorney General’s office works aggressively to protect the tax payers of millions of dollars and to protect patients in nursing homes and other care facilities, the Attorney General does not represent private citizens seeking private remedies. If you believes that you or a loved has been a victim of elder abuse and wish to seek private remedies call Moran Law today for a consultation.