Do I need to issue a written discharge notice for individuals who are being discharged from skilled rehab?

Yes, A facility’s requirement to notify and explain via the SNF ABN that the individual is no longer receiving Medicare Part A services based on the SNF’s belief that Medicare Part A will not pay for the resident’s stay, is separate and unrelated to the admission and discharge requirements under 42 CFR §483.15.

Do facilities need to issue a discharge notice for a resident who has died?

No, while the medical record must contain documentation regarding the circumstances of the death and the facility must notify the resident representative, the ombudsman program does not need to be notified of residents who expire. Only if they were transported to an acute care facility and they died while there. If a resident died at an acute care facility in an emergency transfer, they would be listed on the Ombudsman Notification Log.

Do I need to send copies of notices for residents listed on the Ombudsman Notification Log?

No, it is not necessary to send individual notices that are listed on the Ombudsman Notification Log. If a copy of the notice is needed, the Local Ombudsman will reach out to the facility to obtain the notice.

Local Ombudsman: Ombudsman assigned to the facility

State Ombudsman: Manager of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

Transfer: Resident is temporarily sent to another certified facility, but return to original facility is expected.

Discharge: Movement of a resident to another certified facility or location to the community and returning to the original facility is not expected.

Emergency Transfer: Resident was transferred on an emergency basis to an acute care facility (e.g. hospital) and return was expected.

Scheduled Transfer: Resident was transferred temporarily for a scheduled procedure and was out of the facility for more than 24 hours.

Scheduled Discharge (Skilled Rehab only): Resident has communicated that they are ready to leave the facility after completing a short-term, skilled rehabilitation program.

Discharge (including voluntary & emergency): Resident is being discharged due to a reason listed in §483.15(c).

• If the facility discharges while the resident is hospitalized, the facility must follow all discharge requirements listed in §483.15(c).

• While it is required to list Disability Rights Louisiana (previously the Advocacy Center) on the notice as the Protection and Advocacy Agency for residents under §483.15(c)(5)(vi) & (vii), sending a copy is unnecessary and breaches resident confidentiality. 

https://disabilityrightsla.org

[email protected]

• While it is required to have the State Ombudsman information on notices, it is recommended to also list the Local Ombudsman’s information as well (as this is who the resident may be familiar with).
• On voluntary discharge notices, add a “Resident Request” discharge option.