Failure to Timely Refund Resident Funds After Discharge or Death
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide evidence of issuing a refund within thirty days of discharge, as required by policy, for a resident who had passed away. The resident, who had diagnoses including lung cancer and depression and required partial to moderate assistance with ADLs, had a payment posted to their account for the month of their death. After the resident's passing, the resident's daughter reported not receiving a refund for the funds paid in advance, despite multiple attempts to contact the facility for resolution. Record review showed that a payment was made for the full month, but only a portion of the month was billed for room and board, leaving a credit balance. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the request for a refund was forwarded to the corporate office, but no documented evidence of a payment being issued was found. The facility's policy required refunds and a final accounting to be provided within thirty days of discharge or death, but this was not completed for the resident in question.