Failure to Provide Residents with Reasonable Access to Personal Funds
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents who had authorized the facility in writing to manage their personal funds had ready and reasonable access to those funds. According to facility policy, residents or their authorized representatives should be able to withdraw funds upon request and receive them within a reasonable time period. However, during a Resident Council Meeting, multiple residents reported that they did not have access to their funds during after-hours and on weekends. Specifically, two cognitively intact residents with various medical conditions, including hemiplegia, metabolic encephalopathy, diabetes, and congestive heart failure, stated they were unable to access their accounts at night and on weekends and expressed a desire for such access. An interview with the Accounts Receivable Consultant revealed that the facility did not currently have a receptionist available to dispense cash to residents after hours or on weekends, although there was an awareness of the regulatory requirement and an ongoing effort to address the issue. Review of the residents' fund management statements confirmed that funds were available for both residents, but the lack of access outside of regular hours constituted a failure to honor the residents' rights to manage their financial affairs as outlined in facility policy.