Failure to Provide Required Medicare Coverage Notices Upon Discharge from Part A Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide the required Skilled Nursing Facility Advance Beneficiary Notice (SNFABN) to three residents or their responsible parties when they were discharged from Medicare Part A skilled services but remained in the facility. Review of facility policy indicated that the SNFABN, Form CM-10055, should be used to notify residents about Medicare eligibility and coverage for Part A items and services. Documentation showed that the three residents were discharged from Medicare Part A within the last six months, but there was no evidence that the SNFABN was given to them or their representatives. An interview with the MDS Coordinator confirmed that she was unaware of the requirement to use the SNFABN form for these discharges and did not provide the forms to the affected residents or their representatives.