Nursing home to pay $25,000 fine

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A Gladstone nursing home accused of billing the government for the care of patients who developed maggots and gangrene has agreed to pay a $25,000 fine and undergo extensive monitoring.

The agreement signed Monday resolved allegations that Woodbine Healthcare and Rehabilitation Centre submitted $6,250 in false claims to the Medicare and Medicaid programs requesting reimbursement for basic care that was not provided.

One patient repeatedly developed maggots, while another resident had gangrene and pressure sores, U.S. Attorney Todd Graves said.

Woodbine has denied the allegations and any wrongdoing.

Besides the fine, Woodbine has signed a corporate integrity agreement.

For three years, the agreement requires the nursing home to appoint a compliance officer, set up a compliance committee and perform audits to determine whether residents receive care that meets federal standards.

The nursing home also must enhance training for its employees. And an independent monitor will evaluate Woodbine's internal quality control systems.