Failure to Timely Transfer Deceased Residents' Personal Funds
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to transfer the personal funds of two deceased residents to the probate jurisdiction administering their estates within the required 30-day period. According to the facility's admission agreement, refunds for the balance in a resident's personal account, after deducting any amounts owed to the facility, are to be made to the resident after discharge or, in the case of death, to the probate jurisdiction or by a New York small estate affidavit, unless otherwise claimed by the Department of Social Services. Record review showed that for two residents who had expired, there was no disbursement of their remaining funds or final accounting sent to the Public Administrator within the required timeframe. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the Payable Coordinator is responsible for reviewing monthly reports to identify residents who have been discharged or have expired and who have a balance left in their accounts. The Payable Coordinator acknowledged that the funds for the two deceased residents were not transferred within 30 days but could not provide an explanation for the delay. The Administrator confirmed the process for transferring funds after a resident's death but also indicated that the required transfer did not occur within the specified period for these cases.