F0579 F579: Provide information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
E

Failure to Provide Medicare/Medicaid Benefit Information at Admission

Spokane Health & RehabilitationSpokane, Washington Survey Completed on 04-24-2025

Summary

The facility failed to consistently provide residents and/or their representatives with both oral and written information on how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits at the time of admission. This deficiency was identified for four out of five sampled residents, each of whom had varying medical conditions such as muscle weakness, bacterial blood infection, dementia, failure to thrive, weakness, wound infection, and hip fracture. Some residents were cognitively intact and able to verbalize their needs, while others had severe cognitive impairment, necessitating communication with their representatives. Record reviews revealed that there was no documentation indicating that the admission agreement, which should include information on Medicare and Medicaid benefits, was reviewed or discussed with the residents or their representatives upon admission. Nursing progress notes and admission packets lacked evidence that this required information was provided. Interviews with residents confirmed that they did not recall receiving or discussing this information at the time of their admission. Further investigation showed that out of 36 admissions in the past 30 days, only two admission packets contained the necessary information regarding Medicare and Medicaid benefits. Staff interviews indicated a lack of clarity about the timeframe for completing admission packets and acknowledged that the process had been delayed due to staffing vacancies, particularly in the admissions director/coordinator position. Staff confirmed that without timely review of admission paperwork, residents and their representatives would not be fully informed about their Medicare and Medicaid options.

Penalty

No penalty information released
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:

See other F0579 citations
Missing Medicare and Medicaid Posting Information
C
F0579 F579: Provide information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Short Summary

A facility failed to display required written information for residents and/or their responsible person on how to apply for Medicare and Medicaid benefits and how to receive refunds for previous payments covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Surveyors observed the missing information on the First Floor, Second Floor nursing unit, and Fourth Floor nursing unit, and the NHA confirmed the omission.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Display Medicare and Medicaid Benefit Information
C
F0579 F579: Provide information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Short Summary

The facility failed to display written information on how to apply for Medicare and Medicaid benefits and how to receive refunds for previous payments covered by Medicare and Medicaid on two nursing units, including the [NAME] and Garden units. Surveyors observed the missing information, and the NHA later confirmed the deficiency.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Post Required Medicare/Medicaid Information for Residents
B
F0579 F579: Provide information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Short Summary

Surveyors found that the facility did not display required written information in common posting areas, such as the lobby and hallways near nursing units, explaining how residents and their representatives can apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits and obtain refunds for previous payments covered by those programs. During an interview, the NHA confirmed that this information was not posted anywhere in the building, resulting in noncompliance with state requirements for licensee responsibility and management.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Missing Medicare and Medicaid Benefit Posting
C
F0579 F579: Provide information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Short Summary

Missing Medicare and Medicaid Benefit Posting: The facility failed to display the required information on how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits and how to receive refunds for prior payments covered by those benefits. During observation, the posting was not present on the required bulletin board, and interviews with the SW, DON, ADM, and Admissions Director confirmed the information was not available to residents and that staff were unsure where it was posted.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Display Medicare and Medicaid Benefit Information
C
F0579 F579: Provide information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Short Summary

The facility did not display required written information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits, or how to receive refunds for previous payments covered by these benefits. This was confirmed during observations and an interview with the NHA.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Missing Medicare and Medicaid Benefit Information Posting
B
F0579 F579: Provide information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Short Summary

The facility failed to display required written information for residents and/or their responsible person on how to apply for Medicare and Medicaid benefits and how to receive refunds for previous payments covered by those benefits. Surveyors found the posting board between hall 1 and hall 2 lacked the required information and was blocked by two cart stations, and the NHA confirmed the obstruction and missing posting.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
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