BALTIMORE, MD – Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has announced a substantial $1,289,679 settlement with Elkton SNF, LLC and Elkton Health Holdco, LLC, the operators of Elkton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Cecil County, in response to allegations of substandard care provided to residents. The settlement resolves violations of the Maryland False Health Claims Act and mandates a corporate oversight agreement to improve care standards at the facility.
The case came to light in 2022 when a concerned citizen alerted the Maryland Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit (MFVVU) to the troubling conditions at Elkton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. After a thorough investigation, the Attorney General’s office determined that the facility had been providing inadequate care, which led to Medicaid fraud, as the care was not in line with what taxpayers were funding through Medicaid.
“This settlement sends a clear message: every Marylander, especially our most vulnerable residents, deserves the highest standards of care in nursing facilities,” said Attorney General Brown. “We will not tolerate substandard care or fraud, and my office will continue to hold accountable those who fail to meet their responsibilities to patients and taxpayers alike.”
The settlement includes a $400,679 allocation for a quality improvement plan, which will be overseen by the Office of the Attorney General for the next three years. This plan will involve regular performance evaluations by an independent third-party monitoring company, ensuring that Elkton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center improves its operations and care standards. Additionally, the facility is required to pay $889,000 in restitution to the state.
The investigation revealed numerous deficiencies in the care provided at Elkton, including:
- Significant understaffing that affected patient care
- Wound care deficiencies that put residents at risk of serious health complications
- Regulatory violations that compromised the quality of care
- Preventable falls and nutritional and hydration deficits that endangered patient health
- Failure to address changes in residents’ conditions, which led to avoidable harm
In response to these findings, the MFVVU expanded its efforts through a coordinated “strike force” approach, partnering with the Maryland Department of Human Services, the Office of Adult Services, Adult Protective Services Program, and the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. This approach included unannounced facility visits to quickly assess and address the needs of long-term care residents.
The settlement and oversight agreement are designed to hold Elkton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center accountable for its past failures and ensure improvements are made. If the facility does not comply with the quality improvement plan, it faces the potential for further legal action.
The Medicaid Fraud and Vulnerable Victims Unit, a crucial part of the Attorney General’s office, is funded in part by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In FY 2025, the unit received a total of $6.8 million in federal funding, supplemented by $2.28 million from the State of Maryland.
This settlement is an important step in safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable individuals in nursing homes and ensuring that healthcare providers are held accountable for their actions, particularly when they defraud taxpayers and endanger the well-being of residents.
Key Facts:
- The settlement amount totals $1,289,679.
- Elkton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has agreed to a quality improvement plan with oversight from the Office of Attorney General.
- The investigation revealed significant care deficiencies, including understaffing and inadequate wound care.
- The facility is required to pay $889,000 in restitution to the state and allocate $400,679 for improvements.
- The Attorney General’s office has been actively working to address systemic failures in Maryland’s long-term care facilities.
