Failure to Provide Timely NOMNC and Consistent Discharge Notice for a Cognitively Impaired, Non‑English‑Speaking Resident
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide a timely Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage (NOMNC) to a resident and/or the resident’s representative in accordance with federal requirements and the facility’s own NOMNC policy. The resident was admitted with significant neurologic and functional impairments, including hemiplegia and hemiparesis following a cerebral infarction, dysphagia, metabolic encephalopathy, type 2 diabetes, and gait abnormalities. Early assessments documented that the resident’s preferred language was not English, that staff were unable to determine if an interpreter was needed, and that the resident had slurred, sometimes understandable speech and severe cognitive impairment as evidenced by very low BIMS scores. A baseline care plan identified an alteration in communication, a language barrier, and aphasic, disorganized, and slurred speech, but did not include checked interventions such as a communication board, written communication, or translation applications. Throughout the stay, multiple therapy and nursing notes documented the resident’s limited cooperation, refusals of care and therapy, falls, and behavioral symptoms, often in the context of a language barrier and confusion. Nursing and therapy documentation repeatedly showed that staff attempted to communicate verbally or with a language board but were unable to verify understanding due to the language barrier, and there was no evidence of attempts to use an interpreter or translator application. The resident experienced several unwitnessed falls, episodes of combative behavior, refusal of medications, blood glucose checks, and care, and was at times described as barricading herself in her room. A psychiatric consult was ordered but there was no evidence in the clinical record that a psychiatric evaluation was ever completed before discharge. The care plan for behavioral symptoms did not include specific interventions addressing the resident’s primary non‑English language or use of interpreter services. As the stay progressed, therapy records showed that the resident participated in some OT, PT, and ST sessions but also refused multiple sessions, with therapy staff documenting refusals and minimal progress. Despite speech therapy documentation on one day recommending continuation of the plan of care, PT and ST discharge summaries were later completed indicating dates of service over a short period and noting minimal progress or refusal. Nursing and administrative notes indicated that staff communicated with the resident’s son about concerns for the resident’s safety at night and the need for a caregiver or private sitter, and the son ultimately arranged and paid for a private sitter overnight and then took the resident home. The discharge planning note stated that the NOMNC was signed by the son on a specific date and that discharge home was discussed, but the NOMNC form itself showed Medicare coverage ending on that same date and was actually signed by the son the following day, the day of discharge. There was no documentation that the NOMNC timeframe was waived, that appeal information was provided at the time of the initial notification, or that the discharge was resident‑ or family‑driven or due to the facility’s inability to meet needs as documented by a physician. Interviews with staff and the resident’s son confirmed that the son was informed of discharge plans only shortly before discharge, that he did not receive 48‑hour advance notice or appeal information, and that the facility’s own policy required the NOMNC to be delivered at least two days before Medicare‑covered services ended, which did not occur for this resident. Additionally, discharge documentation contained conflicting information about the reason and timing of discharge. The Discharge Instructions and Summary listed the reason for discharge as completion of skilled services and stated that the resident participated in therapy as tolerated, while the Notice of Transfer or Discharge cited that the resident’s needs could not be met in the facility and included appeal and Ombudsman information. The notice of transfer or discharge also contained inconsistent dates for when the notice was given. The clinical record lacked a physician note stating that the resident was unsafe to remain in the facility or that her needs could not be met there. Interviews with the LPN discharge nurse, DON, administrator, and other staff showed inconsistent explanations regarding whether the resident met therapy goals, whether she refused therapy, whether the discharge was rushed due to safety concerns, and whether 48‑hour advance notice of Medicare coverage termination and discharge was provided. The facility’s NOMNC policy required delivery of the NOMNC at least two days before Medicare‑covered services end, with proper documentation of communication and appeal rights, but the record for this resident did not show that these requirements were met.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
Failure to Provide SNF-ABN for Medicare Non-Covered Services: The facility failed to provide a SNF-ABN to a resident when Medicare Part A coverage ended and the payor source changed to private pay. Records showed the resident had diagnoses including an artificial hip joint, cellulitis, and dysphagia, and staff documented only a NOMNC review with the resident’s wife; the chart did not show that the resident or family received the SNF-ABN for services no longer covered under Medicare Part A.
A resident with Medicare Part A skilled services remaining was given a NOMNC, but the facility did not provide the required SNF-ABN showing the estimated cost if the resident chose to continue services privately. The DON said she believed the SNF-ABN was unnecessary because the resident had Medicaid pending and only issued the NOMNC.
Failure to Provide Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage: A resident did not have clear documentation that she received notice of Medicare non-coverage before services were denied. The resident’s denial forms contained signatures that did not appear consistent with each other or with the admission financial form, and the progress notes did not show the forms were received. When interviewed, the resident did not recall signing any papers about Medicare denial or the right to appeal.
Failure to Provide Timely Medicare Non-Coverage Notices: The facility did not ensure two residents received proper written notice of Medicare non-coverage through SNFABN/NOMNC. One resident’s form only documented a voicemail to the RP, with no signature, no clear contact documentation, and no proof the notice was mailed. Another resident did not receive a SNFABN even though Medicare Part A skilled services were ending and therapy continued beyond the family’s stated preference.
A resident who was Medicaid-eligible did not have written admission notices in the chart showing which items and services were covered under the State Medicaid plan and which services could be charged out of pocket, including the charge amounts. Although the facility’s admission packet included a Consent to Treat, admission agreement, and Explanation of Charges, the resident’s record lacked signed or dated copies, and the Administrator and DON acknowledged the missing documentation.
A facility failed to provide the required SNFABN to two residents whose Medicare Part A coverage ended but who stayed in the facility on private pay. Although NOMNCs were signed and indicated coverage would end, the records lacked evidence that the residents or their representatives were given the ABN explaining potential costs and options. Interviews showed confusion between SS and the HUC about who was responsible for completing the forms, and both confirmed the forms were not completed for these residents.
Failure to Provide SNF-ABN for Medicare Non-Covered Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a Skilled Nursing Advanced Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (SNF-ABN) with the estimated amount of nursing services that would be charged for one of three sampled residents, Resident R120. Review of the admission record showed the resident was originally admitted on [DATE]. His MDS dated 6/18/26 listed diagnoses including an artificial hip joint, cellulitis, and dysphagia. The census document showed he was admitted under Medicare Part A on 3/27/26 and changed to private pay on 4/19/26. A social services note dated 4/17/26 documented that Resident R120 was given a NOMNC form and that it was verbally reviewed with his wife, since he was unable to sign. The note stated that both the resident and his family acknowledged and agreed with the NOMNC and did not intend to appeal. However, review of the social services notes and clinical nurse notes did not show that Resident R120 or his wife were provided with a SNF-ABN form for services no longer covered under Medicare Part A. During interview on 8/5/26 at 10:19 a.m., the Regional Director of Clinical Services confirmed that the facility failed to provide the SNF-ABN form to inform the resident or his family of items and services no longer deemed eligible under Medicare Part A.
Failure to Provide SNF-ABN for Medicare Non-Coverage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide the CMS-10055 Skilled Nursing Facility Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-Coverage (SNF-ABN) to 1 of 3 sampled residents, R1, when Medicare Part A skilled services had days remaining. R1's CMS-10123 Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage (NOMNC) showed that services ended on 7/17/26, but R1 was not given the CMS-10055 SNF-ABN identifying the estimated cost of services if she chose to continue skilled services on her own. During an interview on 8/4/26 at 10:30 a.m., the DON stated she had taken over providing beneficiary notices after a recent staffing change and believed the CMS-10055 was not needed because R1 had Medicaid pending, so only the CMS-10123 notice was provided. The facility's 5/12/26 ABN policy stated the ABN informs the beneficiary of potential non-coverage and the shift of financial liability if Medicare denies the claim.
Failure to Provide Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a resident received notice of Medicare non-coverage for services covered under Medicare before those services were denied. For one resident, the admission record showed an admission date of 8/21/25 and discharge date of 9/10/25, and the financial questionnaire from admission contained the resident’s signature. The resident’s Medicare denial form (CMS-10123) dated 9/5/25 and managed care denial form (U Care) dated 9/7/25 also contained signatures, but the signatures on the forms did not appear similar to each other, and the signature on the U Care form did not appear similar to the financial questionnaire signature. The resident’s progress notes did not show that the Medicare or U Care denial forms were received, and during an interview on 7/31/26, the resident stated she did not recall signing any papers about Medicare denial and the right to appeal. The resident reported she had been at the facility for 21 days and was home and doing well.
Failure to Provide Timely Medicare Non-Coverage Notices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure timely written notification of Medicare non-coverage for two residents reviewed for beneficiary notification. For one resident, the Skilled Nursing Facility Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage indicated that skilled services covered by Medicare Part A were expected to end and that the resident would convert to Medicaid, but the signature line only noted that a voicemail was left with the responsible party. The form did not contain the resident’s or authorized representative’s signature, and there was no documentation identifying who was contacted, documenting telephone contact attempts, or showing that the written notice was mailed when contact could not be verified. The resident remained at the facility. For another resident, the Business Office Manager did not provide a SNFABN for Medicare Part A skilled services that were scheduled to end, and the resident later discharged from the facility. During interview, the Business Office Manager stated that a call had been placed to the responsible party for the first resident and a message was left, but no follow-up occurred and no return call was received. The Business Office Manager also stated that the second resident’s family had said on admission they did not want the resident to stay beyond 20 days and believed this was a family-initiated discharge, so a SNFABN was not required, even though the resident stayed past 20 days and received therapy services.
Missing Admission Notice and Charge Disclosure Documentation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that one Medicaid-eligible resident was informed in writing, at the time of admission or when the resident became eligible for Medicaid, of the items and services included under the State Medicaid plan that could not be charged to the resident and the items and services offered by the facility that could be charged, including the amount of those charges. The deficiency was identified during record review and interview for Resident #12, who was the only Medicaid-eligible resident reviewed. Review of the facility’s admission packet showed a Consent to Treat signature page, an admission Agreement stating that the resident had received an explanation of charges, and an Explanation of Charges document listing items and services covered in the daily room rate and those that could result in out-of-pocket charges. However, Resident #12’s medical record did not contain a signed or dated consent for treatment, admission agreement, or explanation of charges. During interviews, the Administrator stated leadership was unable to locate the admission paperwork, the DON acknowledged the missing documentation, and the past Administrator could not explain why the resident did not have the admission notices in the chart.
Missing SNFABN When Medicare Part A Ended
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents whose Medicare Part A services were ending, but who remained in the facility, received the required Skilled Nursing Facility Advanced Beneficiary Notice (SNFABN) before services terminated. Two residents, R4 and R31, were identified as affected. R31 was admitted on Medicare Part A coverage, which ended on 5/11/26, and remained in the facility on private pay the next day. Although R31 had a signed Notice of Medicare Non-coverage (NOMNC) dated 5/7/26 stating Medicare coverage would end on 5/11/26, the electronic medical record did not show that a SNFABN was provided to R31 or the representative to advise of the potential cost of staying in the facility after Medicare Part A ended and to offer the choice of receiving the services, asking Medicare to be billed, or declining the services. R4 started Medicare Part A coverage on 5/4/26 and it ended on 6/27/26; R4 remained in the facility on private pay the next day. R4’s NOMNC, signed 6/24/26, stated Medicare coverage would end on 6/27/26 and noted verbal consent from the responsible party, with the form signed by the facility social services employee. However, the record lacked evidence that a SNFABN was provided to R4 or the representative. During interviews, the social services employee stated she had not been completing the forms and was not trained on them, while the health unit secretary stated she had not completed the NOMNC or ABN forms since April 2026 and confirmed R4 and R31 did not receive them. The administrator stated the NOMNC and ABN forms should be completed in a timely manner, and the facility policy stated that if the beneficiary continues to stay in the care center, the facility would provide the NOMNC and SNF ABN demand bill portion.
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