Inappropriate 30‑Day Discharge Notice Issued Without Proper Cause
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility issuing an inappropriate 30‑day discharge notice to a resident without proper cause. The resident, admitted with multiple sclerosis, left hemiplegia, cerebral infarction, diabetes mellitus, and stage IV chronic kidney disease, was cognitively intact and dependent for bed mobility, bathing, toileting, and transfers, and received tube feeding per a quarterly MDS. The resident had been transferred to the hospital and then readmitted to the facility before ultimately being discharged to another facility. On the morning of 08/28/25, Social Services documented informing the resident’s daughter that the resident had no remaining bed hold days and would be returning as skilled, and that a list of facilities would be emailed. A nursing note later that day documented the resident’s arrival back to the facility. A subsequent Social Service note dated 09/03/25 documented that a 30‑day discharge notice was mailed to the resident’s daughter, stating the discharge was because the resident’s welfare and needs could no longer be met at the facility. The written Discharge Notice, dated 09/03/25, listed the discharge date as 10/03/25 to another SNF for the same stated reason. However, the Resident Service Coordinator later confirmed that the actual reason for issuing the 30‑day discharge notice was concern about lack of a payer source, not inability to meet the resident’s needs, and acknowledged the form was filled out incorrectly. The Regional Business Office Manager confirmed that the resident’s stay was covered by a managed Medicaid product approved from 08/23/25 to 09/11/25, that the Notice of Discharge was issued on 09/04/25 while coverage was still approved, and that no bill for non‑payment had been issued to the resident or representative at the time the notice was sent. The facility’s own policy allows discharge for specific reasons, including inability to meet needs or failure to pay, and requires proper written notice, but the documentation and interviews showed the stated discharge reason did not match the actual circumstances or policy criteria.
We Help Long-Term Care Teams Stay Survey-Ready
We process and analyze inspection reports and plan of correction using AI to extract insights and trends so providers can improve care quality and stay ahead of compliance risks.