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A World War Two Veteran is dealing with a disturbing mystery... Why is his late wife racking up bills at nursing homes long after her death?
Leo Anello was horrified when he got Medicare claims to his wife Emilie.
Statements show she stayed at three Cleveland area nursing homes over the past few months. The mailing shows tens of thousands of dollars in uncovered Medicare charges adding up to almost $150,000 dollars.
Leo has proof she's not responsible.
"She was never there. She's here at the cemetery."
Emilie died in 1990 after more than 40 years of marriage. Leo still visits her at Ottawa hills cemetery as he deals with a mess of new Medicare statements.
"It effects me. This bring up memories. I don't know," He said through tears.
The government never paid the medical claims. The statements note that her "date of death was before the date of service."
The Medicare claims say this is not a bill. But the veteran is now fighting to understand why this happened.
"That's when I called channel 24 to see what can be done about this."
NBC 24 called the three Cleveland area facilities. A spokesperson at Greens Nursing and Rehabilitation said they the facility did not invoice any third-party payor regarding this individual. They have no record of Emilie Anello ever staying there. That's no surprise to Leo.
"She was never there in southern Ohio. Why this? She's passed away. Now they come up with this? It's not right."
NBC 24 is working with the Better Business Bureau. An investigator says someone may have entered the wrong digit in social security number when billing a patient.
They're still unclear whether this is a crime or a mistake.
