Failure to Provide Medicare Non-Coverage Notices
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate liability and appeal notices to Medicare beneficiaries for two residents, resulting in a deficiency. Resident #27, who had diagnoses including muscle weakness, diabetes mellitus type 2, and osteoporosis, was not given timely Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage when Medicare Part A services ended. The facility's Business Office Manager documented that the notice was issued over the phone and sent by certified mail, but there was no evidence of a certified mail receipt. Additionally, the Advanced Beneficiary Notice of Non-Coverage was not completed, and no options were discussed with the resident's representative. Similarly, Resident #141, who had diagnoses including Parkinson's disease, severe protein-calorie malnutrition, and encephalopathy, did not receive the required notices when Medicare Part A services ended. The Business Office Manager left a message for the resident's spouse and claimed to have sent the notice by certified mail, but again, there was no documented evidence of a certified mail receipt. The Advanced Beneficiary Notice of Non-Coverage was not completed, and no options were discussed with the resident's spouse. Interviews with the Business Office Manager revealed that the process for issuing notifications was not followed correctly, as they did not ensure the residents or their representatives were informed of their right to appeal or provided with all necessary options. Interviews with the residents' representatives confirmed they did not receive certified letters or explanations about the ability to appeal the Medicare non-coverage of services, leading to automatic transitions to private pay without their informed consent.
Penalty
Resources
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