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I have heard they do receive some form of payment for referring clients to these facilities. And the way the discharge planner at the rehab facility acted with my father, made it seem credible. It was like dealing with a very aggressive, very greedy or very hungry used car salesman. She got her way, thanks to my sister. It was not at all what my father wanted. He has been deteriorating at a steady, rapid pace ever since he moved in there. (But I digress.) Just curious if that is true. If so, it seems very unethical. Like so many of the policies and procedures of the companies and non-governmental and governmental organizations involved in caring for seniors. It's a racket that has been out of control for a long time. It will be hard to do, but we need to start feeling these people in.

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Are you talking about a discharge planner in a hospital or acute rehab setting? Or are you talking about someone from an organization like A Place for Mom or a Senior Care Adviser?
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Leonine1 Nov 2018
A discharge planner at a physical rehab facility. I'm not sure if it is an Acute Rehab facility. He was sent there after being discharged from the hospital to continue building up his strength.
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I would think it would be illegal for a discharge person to get a commission for placing someone in a certain AL. Most rehabs are privately owned but looked over by the state. But, agree, good question. Really, why would she worry about where Dad was going? Help by helping with what needs he has and if that particular AL is able to accommodate him, yes.

If Dad is not happy with that AL, then change him. Contracts are usually month to month. As long as you give 30 days notice, you can change ALs. Its your dime.
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No they do not get commissions for referrals. Most hospital employee contracts have clauses against referrals of any kind.
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Leonine, I'm chortling away here. Hit a nerve? With an ice-pick, I'd say!

How incredibly stupid of her. You asked her a simple question, without prejudice. And instead of answering it she became defensive by going on an unwarranted personal attack.

Freedom of Information is much, much better established as a principle in the US than it is over here in the UK. If you've time, aren't you tempted to pursue this? People have a right to know who's paying the piper.
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I think that's a question I should enjoy putting to the Discharge Planner in person.

It's a perfectly reasonable question.

It's also not that unethical for one business to pay commission, referral fees or whatever you want to call them to another business. What IS unethical is to conceal that it's happening while pretending to offer an objective recommendation to clients.

It's not too late to investigate your discharge planner if you've a mind to, or to make a complaint about her professionalism if you feel that her approach was unprofessional and not in your father's best interests. Did she offer you alternative options?

SMH, so many weasels out there...
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Leonine1 Nov 2018
@Countrymouse .... I agree. Paying or receiving a commission is not necessarily unethical in itself. How it is obtained or doled out is what can make it unethical. Being secretive about it is not a good thing. What really bothered me is the way the person's attitude and behavior toward me shifted when I told her my father had always told me he wanted to stay at home. I told her if the steps I had taken so far in the process of hiring a live-in caregiver, and making modifications to his home for his current and future needs. The way her attitude changed made me wonder if there was truth to the commission thing I had heard about. So I asked her ... And she never answered. Instead, she literally started breathing funny - taking short little breaths, hurting and puffing. And she was stuttering. She kept saying, "Well, well, well..." And finally blurted out, " Your dad was admitted under questionable circumstances and I'm going to report you to Senior Services. " I was completely caught off-guard. I blurred out, "You go right ahead. I have no problem with that. And I am going to report you as well for being more concerned about getting a commission than you are about what is best for the people you are supposed to be caring for." Made me think I hit a nerve .
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