Timely and coordinated healthcare is essential, particularly when vulnerable patients rely on managed care systems for home-based support. In a recent medical malpractice case, the plaintiff alleged that a healthcare provider’s failure to act on a care assessment contributed to a patient’s decline and eventual death. While the complaint raised concerns about medical negligence in care coordination, the case was ultimately dismissed due to a failure to meet the legal requirements for bringing such claims. If you believe that care mismanagement harmed your loved one, a Baltimore medical malpractice attorney can help you understand the procedural and substantive steps necessary to bring a viable claim.
Factual History and Procedural Background
It is reported that the plaintiff’s mother, who was dually enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, was assessed by a contractor acting on behalf of the government. The contractor determined she met the “nursing facility level of care” and required the assistance of a personal care aide. The plaintiff contended that this Level of Care (LOC) Assessment was transmitted to the healthcare provider through a system designed to ensure that healthcare entities receive and act on such assessments in real-time.
Allegedly, the defendant claimed it never received the LOC Assessment and, as a result, failed to provide the home-based services prescribed. It is further alleged that this failure led to a month-long lapse in care from late August through mid-September 2023, contributing to the patient’s worsening condition and her death in October 2023. The plaintiff filed suit, asserting claims for negligence and breach of contract. The case was later removed to federal court on diversity grounds. Continue Reading ›