Vitas Healthcare

My husband was put under the care of Vitas Healthcare (we weren't aware that they were hospice at first because we had already stated that we didn't EVER want hospice care due to several bad experiences with loved ones). We were only supposed to have an "informational" visit, but instead we were signed up for their care.

We were told we had to cancel ALL other Drs. My husband was never deemed terminal. This all started on Friday, April 12, 2024. On Saturday, the "equipment" arrived: a hospital bed and table, oxygen concentrator AND an oxygen canister, nebulizer, suction machine, and shower chair (even though we already have our own).

We were not shown how to use the nebulizer and suction machine. On Sunday the first "nurse" arrived. The VERY first thing was "did they order the morphine and atavan for your husband" and I stated an unequivocable NO. I told them he was already on an opioid and anti-anxiety med and did not need another one.

She said, well, I will send it "JUST IN CASE". My husband said NO. I told her that no one had shown us how to use the nebulizer and suction machine. She stated it was part of the COPD "package" but "we NEVER use them".

Then we heard all about her 10 year old son loving NASCAR, all about her husband, and then she left. Monday comes and the Vitas nurse who was going to be my husband's nurse called to schedule an appointment on Tuesday. As soon as we hung up, I received a phone call from a male director asking if everyone was treating us with respect and kindness. I said yes but thought it was odd.

Later that same day, a social worker called and inquired if I knew what my husband wanted for final arrangements. I said he wanted to be cremated and she asked if I had a funeral home in mind. I thought it was strange for her to ask, but I said no and she said she would send me a list. Then she told me she was available to "talk" between 8-5 M-F.

Huh?? Why would that matter and what if I wanted to talk after "hours"? Would I have to wait until someone was available?? Tuesday came and the nurse came.

I explained to her that no one had shown us how to use the nebulizer and suction machine. She went over things with us and it was THEN that we found out that Vitas is HOSPICE. She also stated that we had to cancel ALL our Dr appointments for my husband as they were taking over ALL his care. Our PCP decided that since she wasn't his PCP anymore she wanted to visit him to see how he declined so fast.

The nurse had the respiratory therapist to come and check on my husband. He said he couldn't "show us" how to use the nebulizer because we didn't have any medicine for it but that he could tell us how to use it. He also showed my husband some exercises to expel the phlegm from his lungs. HE was a godsend.

The nurse did order some meds for then nebulizer, some liquid Mucinex, and some Lasix for the swelling. The meds arrived Wednesday along with the "rolling holder" for the oxygen canister (we were then told it was in case of a power outage we wouldn't be without oxygen, and I informed the driver that we had a whole house generator, and we never lose power so it was unnecessary). We also received from another driver a "transfer bench" for the shower. I asked what it was for and the guy said when your husband gets off his wheelchair you can move him to the transfer bench then onto the shower chair.

I told him it was pointless to have all this stuff. By this time I decided to Google Vitas Healthcare and the first thing I see is a lawsuit filed by the Government against Vitas Healthcare. It was for $75 MILLION. "Chemed Corp.

and Vitas Hospice Services Agree to Pay $75 Million to Resolve False Claims Act Allegations Relating to Billing for Ineligible Patients and Inflated Levels of Care" (taken straight from the site) This is the actual site: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/chemed-corp-and-vitas-hospice-services-agree-pay-75-million-resolve-false-claims-act

On Thursday, I received a phone call from the nurse saying she wouldn't be there due to an emergency and would be there on Friday. I told her that was fine, as I had already decided that they were going to be leaving our home. I received a call from a "volunteer" with Vitas and I do not know what they wanted as I didn't care to listen. Friday comes and I am waiting for the nurse.

She arrived and I began to tell her to get the stuff out of our house, that we were through. I told her the reasons why, and that my husband was NOT ever told that he was terminal. She was on the receiving end of my anger. She had me talk to her boss, which I did.

This person wanted me to talk to Jennifer, a Director at Vitas Healthcare. I spoke with her and she was trying to tell me not to sign the papers to release my husband from their care. I went off on her. She kept trying to convince me.

She would not take no for an answer. After the phone call ended, I signed the papers to remove Vitas from my husband's care. I also asked for all the equipment to be removed from our home. The equipment sat all weekend in our home, in the way.

On Monday, I again spoke with Jennifer. She stated that our PCP wanted them to continue care with my husband. I called her a liar and told her to get her *** and get it out of our home". She said they would get it when they got it.

I then told her she had one hour to remove it or I would do one of 3 things: I would dismantle the equipment and throw it in the front yard, I would consider it abandoned and sell it, or I would start charging them storage fees, her choice. I then hung up on her. I then called the company that delivered the equipment originally, and they said they would be to our home in an hour and they were. I told the driver about the lawsuit and what liars and crooks this FOR PROFIT Hospice company is.

He was shocked.

He said he always wondered why so much equipment is brought to homes that was never used or needed. I told him it was for the "per diem" Vitas receives for each patient, EACH DAY and that is why every thing is scanned so they can cha ching cha ching and keep the stockholders happy (I was told about the stockholders from Jennifer).

Situation: Retired Full Bird Colonel 32 years of service in the US Army, Small Cell Lung Cancer, Hip Cancer, Liver Cancer, Spleen Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Heart Disease, Nephrostomy Tubes for Kidney Issues (All Related to Agent Orange and Desert Storm Oil Fields Burning), and Stroke, 78 years old, Vietnam and Desert Storm, Highly Decorated.

In October 2023, mom registered dad with Hospice, Vitas, for in home care as the cancers were not responding to the Chemo and Radiation Therapy under VA Lake Nona Facility. The Vitas came in once every couple weeks to conduct assessments.

In the latter part of November 2023 and early part of December, dads health was not improving, Nephrostomy Tubes would back up and the VA would clear blockage and if needed insert a new tube. On, December 02, 2023, dad was taken to the VA Emergency Room for another blocked tube. VA Doctors tried to insert another tube with negative results. He stayed overnight for observation and tests.

December 03, Hospital Doctor spoke with VA Oncologist, dad was entering the stages of dying. The VA Social Worker contacted Vitas and informed them of the situation and Vitas confirmed dad being already registered and had a team assigned would be at his home upon VA discharge and transport to home. The VA Social worker confirmed this with Vitas Call Center, his assigned team charge nurse as it was Sunday. Dad was discharged from VA Care and Vitas said his assigned team would meet us at the house at 1800 hrs.

When we arrived home at 1730 hrs, we waited and no Vitas. We started calling Vitas around 1900 hrs and continued calling until 0400 hrs (December 04). At 0630 hrs, a Vitas nurse arrived but was not his team nurse, rather to register him with Vitas, which when she realized he was already registered. The Vitas nurse attempted to contact the his on call Team Nurse and Doctor.

The on call doctor, said that it was shift change and dad would have to wait to have any prescriptions for pain and that called in. This back and fourth went on with Vitas until 1600 hrs, now 24 hrs after his discharge from the VA Lake Nona, to home under the care of Vitas, his team lead nurse arrived at the house. She immediately phoned in prescriptions to be picked up at the local Publix. We, mom, brother, and I stressed the displeasure of their response or the lack of.

The Vitas Chaplin arrived later that evening around 1800 hrs, and again we expressed our displeasure in their care for a Decorated Veteran. The teams that cared for him over the next few days were good and did their jobs. On Thursday, December 07, at 0900 hrs we met with the Vitas VA Representative to discuss some VA related items, plans and other elements. The Vitas VA Representative had to find answers to questions we had and his response was by COB today, he would have answers as Dads condition was quickly progressing in the stages of dying.

At 2150 hrs, dad passed away. To this day, June 19, 2024 we have never heard any answers to the VA/Military Questions we had for the Vitas VA Representative. The lack of response from Vitas when dad was discharged from VA, with confirmation from Vitas, the on call doctor (video recorded) response to the Vitas nurse who realized the miscommunication, Its shift change and he can wait!, and the lack of any urgency even after almost 24 hrs of being in pain and suffering, and the complete ignoring and unresponsive Vitas VA representative to provide the answers we needed in a timely manner.

The death certificate in another area in which again Vitas failed repeatedly for a Veteran who because of his sacrifices are able to be in a job in a country of Freedom. Vitas needs to investigated, and these on call Vitas doctors need their license revoked.

The social worker representative is unreachable directly. Must go through the nurse.

My dad was my moms care giver and had a terrible stroke. The social worker didn't even tell me of other options of care for my Mom, didn't mention Respite care. I take off of work to stay with my mom who has gotten much worse not knowing of other options, while trying to get my parents finances in order. Talked to a different hospice provider and they told me all kinds of other options and I might be able to keep my mom.

This social worker pathetic hoping anyone else who is him is not going what we have gone through. The nurse only shows up once a week for my mom who is end stage liver failure.

They just want to keep her on narcotics. This company is all about profits over quality care for their patients.

Stay away from this company. It is the worst company ever.

My husband was under their care for five days. The first day they told me he was going to die within four hours therefore leaving some of my loved ones from New Jersey not to come down to see him five days later, he was still under their care and each day telling me he was going to die with hours. We then decided to bring him home since he wasnt dying in the hospital and to have him home to die so we asked them to send us a bed, etc. they gave us a time of 1 oclock for the delivery.

Because they were late for hours we missed him dying and it was therefore we were not there. It took them four hours to come and pronounce him dead

During my father's continuous care from the first day, I was disappointed. There was a two-hour gap between nurses.

I had to be there for my father so he wouldn't be alone. On the second evening, one of their nurses convinced me to let her go out and get the pain medication at an overnight pharmacy. Upon her return with the medication, she informed me that the pharmacy she went to did not provide coverage and I had to pay her $51.00. I used Zelle to send her the money and mentioned that Medicare should cover it.

My father passed away on the following Sunday, and I still haven't heard from their team director despite having spoken with different departments. I guess they are hoping I never reach out to them. The same nurse was told to go on the evening of Wednesday and my mom was alone with her as I was sick and couldn't be present. My mom said she did absolutely nothing and was short with my mom.

The original medications arrived the following day by FedEx.

I believe this to be unprofessional and manipulative. Don't do business with Vitas.

Working with Vitas has not been as described during their initial visits. I take care of my 97-year-old mother and she was having some health concerns, so her doctor suggested Vitas.

Their initial visits included an intake person and a nurse to examine her. However, in the three months they visited her, we have not seen the people they promised would come - no physician has ever been here, and she was promised a massage therapist. We did have three visits from the Chaplain, who was the saving grace of Vitas. The nurse did come most weeks, but two weeks ago, she told us she was resigning.

Today, I received a call that my mother's coverage was being dropped.

No doctor visited us, no telephone call was made to me, just a voicemail message with this information. Please avoid using Vitas!

We were convinced to go to hospice for my mothers care even though she does not qualify based on medicares dementia scale. The description of services compared to what you are getting is terrible .at least in our case.

My mother has dementia. She is not in pain, she does not use any durable medical equipment. Basically they canceled all of her meds ( she is otherwise healthy so only takes 3 things plus vitamins). NOw she isnt on her dementia medicine and has cognitively gone downhill fast.

In conclusion: she gets 2 baths and now doesnt see any doctors for her general health like her eyesight or hearing or thyroid..and for that we pay $1500 a week.

( Medicare does anyway). Stupid!

When we first joined Vitas, they promised us the world but they didnt comply with their promises. We were with this company close to 4 months and thats due to Advent Health Hospice had discharged my dad due to he reached 6 months and we loved Advent Health Hospice because they were professional, caring, friendly and knew what they were doing.

Unfortunately, I cant say that about Vitas Hospice. Some of them were unprofessional, lazy and strong believer in Morphine. Im not a doctor, but the day my dad died I think they might had gave him too much morphine. They decided to place my dad on crisis care the day he died and when the nurse arrived my dad didnt even lasted 2 hours.

She kept giving him me morphine not even 1/2 hour apart. Theres one nurse Evelise that was very sweet and I learned a lot from her and my dad loved her. She was the only one that would go out of her way to do for my dad. The other nurses wouldnt want to change my dad or wash him.

My dad didnt like to be dirty or wet. I also didnt understand why they would bring their supplies in a bag.

My dad passed away February 7th and no one has checked up on us or provide any assistance.

I called 2 times to request therapy and for some reason the next day someone came to pick up my dads equipments when they had picked up the equipments not even 8 hours after my dad passed away.

I never wanted to go with this company and I shouldve followed my gut. If you are looking for hospice, please dont go with this company because you will be disappointed.

I was very satisfied with the previous hospice care provider Covenant, prior to being bought out by Vitas. My mother was seeing a caregiver (nurse or tech) 3 times a week.

Since Vitas took over she has received zero care. None. She and I are very displeased with their service and would recommend anyone considering Hospice care from this organization to run away, as fast as you can. If this is how we treat our seniors, especially those at the end of their lives, then I wonder where we have gone wrong as a society.

My mother was a nurse for 35 years, caring for those to the best of her ability who were in their worst situation. And this is how she is thanked. I am in such disbelief I feel I'm beside myself.

Run away. Run far, far away from Vitas.