Failure to Timely Refund Resident Funds After Discharge
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to refund resident funds within 30 days of discharge for two residents. For one resident with a court-appointed guardian and severe cognitive impairment, the facility issued an initial check to the guardian to close the resident fund account, but continued to receive and process deposits from Social Security and other sources after discharge. The facility did not notify Social Security of the resident's discharge until several months later, resulting in additional deposits and delayed closure of the account well beyond the required 30-day period. For another resident who was their own responsible party and had a daughter as power of attorney, the facility issued a check to the new nursing facility where the resident transferred, but this was also completed past the 30-day post-discharge requirement. Facility documentation, including the Resident Admission Agreement and Resident Fund Authorization, specified that funds should be disbursed within 30 days of discharge, but this policy was not followed in these cases.