Timesheets/fraud

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

My clients mom said I could leave an hour and a half early, which I was thrilled because I was in pain and its a long shift.

She said I could still sign out the time I was due to leave even though I was leaving early in order to get paid.

Um absolutely not !! That is fraud !!! I still left early but signed out the time I left and documented my last note the time I left.

This just makes me wonder how many other nurses she has told this to that took her up on her offer.

Wow. scary.

I'm still going to check with the agency on Monday to see how this should be handled. I know that anytime there is a change in shift times that the agency should be notified prior but there is a clear policy that says what happens if you want to leave early or parents request that you leave early.

I kind of bad for leaving early and normally I would of stayed the entire time but once again I was in pain and was more than willing to give up that hour and a half. I also wonder if this would effect their insurance if they see that I left earlier than what I was supposed to leave.

Thoughts ?

[caliotter3]

A single instance or two would have no effect. A permanent shortage of hours used will eventually cause the insurance company to look at number of hours authorized. Time sheet fraud is common. When presented with the offer, I always refuse to participate and warn the client of the ramifications of getting caught engaging in this. Amazing how many nurses take advantage of, or even instigate, insurance fraud, fully well knowing the threat to their livelihood, as well as the civil and criminal penalties involved.

[systoly]

Even more bothersome than the fraud is the lack of honesty et integrity. How do you know it ends with the time sheets and doesn't involve MARs, assessments etc.?

[Kyasi]

In one of our branch offices, a HHA left early and didn't call the office to inform of the schedule change. (which is our policy) The client fell out of bed after she left, (during the time she was scheduled to be there) broke her hip and eventually died. The HHA was arrested for negligent homicide, spent the night in jail, and had to hire her own lawyer. The agency lawyers were not obligated to represent her since she had not followed policy and wasn't where she was supposed to be. I'm not sure what the final outcome of this was since it was in another state that this happened.

Regardless of the consequences, this is done all the time. The lack of integrity out there never fails to amaze me. There is even a sick sort of cycle I see where once the nurse or HHA falsifies timesheets, the client 'has something' on her/him and begins asking them to do things that are against policy. (lend me money, run out and buy me some cigarettes etc) The professional line gets blurred and keeps moving further away.

Morale of the story? If you are scheduled to be at a home at a set time, be there. If you leave early for any reason or will be late, call the agency and tell them. Protect yourself!

I swear I'm going to write a book on all I've seen some day.

Kyasi

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

I am still having the same problem with this case. I arrive to my shift yesterday and she asked me to stay late and come in late next shift to make up the diff. but still document my scheduled hours. I told her this was not allowed. She stated that it will be ok. I told her I would need to call the agency to double check, she said don't even bother. I said ok, fine.

When she left the house, I called my agency and explained the situation. They said I must work my scheduled shift. After that I talked with mom again and told her I will work my scheduled shift and that what she wants me to do can not only cause me my job but also cause her child to loose medicaid.

I'm tired of her trying to take advantage of me. Hire a freakin baby sitter lady !

[caliotter3]

An intelligent person would figure out that your warning would mean that you are quite the person to turn her in. She would do well to stop trying to twist your arm to engage in the fraudulent behavior. If the agency had a clue they would put the other nurses on written notice.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

An intelligent person would figure out that your warning would mean that you are quite the person to turn her in. She would do well to stop trying to twist your arm to engage in the fraudulent behavior. If the agency had a clue they would put the other nurses on written notice.

This is true. She tries to play innocent but in fact she is very sneaky. I almost don't want to go back there again but I need the money.

When she found out her child could loose his benefits then she became more concerned. She said she had global hours and can use them how she like, so I told her I would be happy to rearrange my schedule if she contacts the agency to verify... she never did follow-up with that. It is just not worth it....

The agency I hope is on to her now. Luckily I only have 2 more shifts with this client due to starting school soon. Can't wait.

[caliotter3]

Watch your back for those two shifts and if you're ever asked to fill in for the future, I would decline. Best to stay away from the shady ones.

[ventmommy]

Our agency requires me to email or call with a schedule change that I work out directly with the nurse and requires the nurse to call or email as well that she agreed. If we are running late at a medical appointment, I call to let them know and the nurse calls when she actually leaves. All of our paperwork has the actual times worked.

[Akeos]

as long as the mom and nurse agree on the schedule only one of us has to call or email to let them know the change, it takes less than 2 minutes to do, not a big deal at all.

[PediLove2147, BSN, RN]

Apparently the agency I work for is not as strict. I leave early all the time. I sign out for the time that I left (not scheduled to leave) but it has never been a problem. I am not going to sit there and twiddle my thumbs just because I was scheduled. That's a waste of their hours.

[caliotter3]

Apparently the agency I work for is not as strict. I leave early all the time. I sign out for the time that I left (not scheduled to leave) but it has never been a problem. I am not going to sit there and twiddle my thumbs just because I was scheduled. That's a waste of their hours.

However, billing for time when you are not physically present is fraud. If a caregiver leaves early they are supposed to put the actual time they depart on their timesheet.