By C1 Staff
NEW YORK — Correctional Medical Care, New York’s largest private provider of medical care, has agreed to pay restitution and penalties totally $200,000 in connection with a state probe of its business practices.
Press Connects reports that an investigation found that CMC violated certain provisions of the contracts it holds with Monroe and Tioga counties.
In Monroe County the investigation found that CMC repeatedly negotiated changes to its contract that reduced the jail’s medical staff without reducing the amount the county paid the company. Several staff members lacked proper licenses, and one nurse was hired despite a prior felony conviction for altering a prescription.
In Tioga County, it was found that CMC employed a director of mental health “who was illegally engaged in the duties of a social worker without a social worker license.”
CMC lacked proper documentation of staff hours and backup documentation was lacking to support the salaries and expenses of staff.
Under the terms of the agreement, CMC is required to pay Tioga County $100,000 in restitution, while the other $100,000 will be a civil penalty paid to the state.
CMC is also required to set up a separate corporate entity to provide medical care. Neither CMC’s owner nor its president are licensed medical professionals.
Additionally, CMC will pay for an independent monitor for three years, and will submit its contracts with all 13 counties to annual audits.