Failure to Mail Resident Fund Statements to Designated Financial Contacts
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that quarterly statements for resident funds accounts were mailed to the individuals identified as the guardian or primary financial contact for several residents. Specifically, for three residents reviewed, the statements were instead addressed and sent to the residents at the facility's address, rather than to their designated financial contacts as required by the signed Resident Fund Management Service Authorization Agreements. These agreements, signed by the responsible parties, clearly indicated that the person signing would receive quarterly statements. Interviews with the residents' financial contacts confirmed that they had not received the required statements and were unaware of the account balances. The Business Office Manager confirmed that a third-party service was used to mail out the statements, and that the statements were sent to the address listed at the top of the statement, which was the facility address for all affected residents. Review of facility policy indicated that statement addresses were to be correct, but this was not followed. The deficiency affected three out of six residents reviewed for resident funds, with the facility identifying a total of 50 residents with personal funds accounts.