42 CFR 483 - REQUIREMENTS FOR STATES AND LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES

This interim final rule amends the requirements that a long-term care (LTC) facility must meet in order to qualify to participate as a skilled nursing facility (SNF) in the Medicare program, or a nursing facility (NF) in the Medicaid program. These requirements implement section 6113 of the Affordable Care Act to ensure that, among other things, in the case of a LTC facility closure, individuals serving as administrators of a SNF or NF provide written notification of the impending closure and a plan for the relocation of residents at least 60 days prior to the impending closure or, if the Secretary terminates the facility's participation in Medicare or Medicaid, not later than the date the Secretary determines appropriate.

This proposed rule would set forth new requirements for Medicare certified providers and suppliers. This proposed rule would require that the Medicare certified providers and suppliers make available to their Medicare beneficiaries information about their right to file a written complaint with the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) in the State where healthcare services are being or were provided about the quality of care they are receiving or have received. The Medicare certified providers and suppliers would be required to provide their Medicare beneficiaries with written notice of the QIO's contact information. In addition, we are proposing new requirements for certain Medicare providers and suppliers that would require facilities to inform all patients about State agency contact information.