Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-50-.11 - Transfer and Discharge

(1) In an emergency situation where the resident or other residents are subject to an imminent and substantial danger that only immediate transfer or discharge will relieve, the facility may involuntarily transfer the resident to another health facility. The person in charge shall document in the resident's file the reasons for such emergency transfer and shall immediately inform the resident, guardian and other persons of the resident's choice regarding such transfer and the place where the resident is to be transferred.

(2) In all other situations an involuntary transfer or discharge must be in accordance with any of the following reasons and procedures and only after all other reasonable alternatives to transfer have been exhausted:

(a) The resident's physician or, if unavailable, another physician determines that failure to transfer the resident will result in injury or illness to the resident or others. The resident's physician shall be kept informed of actions taken. The attending physician must document that determination in the resident's record. If the basis for the transfer or discharge is the threat of injury or illness to the resident only, the resident cannot be transferred or discharged unless the physician documents in the resident's medical record that such transfer or discharge is not expected to endanger the resident to a greater extent than remaining in the facility; or

(b) The facility does not participate in, or voluntarily or involuntarily ceases to operate or participate in the program which reimburses for the resident's care. In the event that a facility voluntarily or involuntarily ceases to operate or participate in the program which reimburses for the resident's care and proposes to transfer or discharge a resident because of that fact, the facility must cooperate fully with and take all reasonable directives from the State Medicaid Agency and the Health Care Financing Administration Regional Office in the implementation of any transfer planning and transfer counseling conducted by these agencies; or

(c) Nonpayment of allowable fees has occurred. When a resident has been converted from full or private pay status to Medicaid eligibility due to exhaustion of personal financial resources, nonpayment of allowable fees has not occurred so long as the facility participates in the Medicaid program. Similarly, conversion from Medicare/Medicaid eligibility status does not constitute nonpayment of allowable fees; or

(d) The findings of a Medicare or Medicaid medical necessity review determine that the resident no longer requires the level of care presently being provided, subject to the right of the resident to any appeal procedure available to challenge the determination of medical necessity review. Where space permits, the resident must be given the option of staying at the facility, if the facility is certified to provide the new level of care.

(3) The facility must give written notice to the resident, guardian or representative, if there is no guardian, and the resident's physician at least 30 days before any proposed transfer or discharge is made in accordance with subsections (2)(a), (2)(b), or (2)(c) of this rule. The written notice must contain the following information: the reasons for the proposed transfer or discharge; the effective date of the proposed transfer or discharge; the location or other facility to which the facility proposes to transfer or discharge the resident; and notice of the right to a hearing pursuant to the Georgia Administrative Procedure Act and Section .15 of these rules and regulations, and of the right to representation by legal counsel. If the resident so desires, the facility shall also send a copy of such notice to the community ombudsman, or state ombudsman if there is no community ombudsman.

(4) If two residents are married and the facility proposes to transfer one spouse to another facility at a similar level of care, notice must be given to the other spouse of the right to be transferred to the same facility if the other spouse makes a request to that facility in writing. Married residents must be transferred on the same day, pending availability of accommodations. If also available, that facility shall place both residents in the same room if the residents so desire.

(5) In the event of an involuntary transfer pursuant to subsections (2)(a), (2)(b), or (2)(c) of this rule, the facility must assist the resident and guardian in finding a reasonably appropriate alternative placement prior to the proposed transfer or discharge by developing a plan designed to minimize any transfer stress to the resident. Such plan shall include counseling the resident, guardian, or representative, regarding available community resources and informing the appropriate state or social service organizations, including, but not limited to, the community or state long-term care ombudsman and assisting in arranging for the transfer.

(6) In the event that the facility proposes an involuntary transfer of the resident to another bed in the same facility, the resident and guardian shall receive 15 days written notice prior to such change.

(7) A resident shall be voluntarily discharged from a facility when the resident or guardian gives the person in charge notice of the resident's intention to be discharged and the expected date of departure. In the case of a resident without a guardian, the facility may not require that the resident be "signed out" or authorized to be discharged by any person or agency other than the resident. Notice of the resident's or guardian's intention to be discharged, and the expected and actual dates of departure shall be documented in the resident's record. If the resident appears to be capable of living independently of the facility, upon such discharge, the facility is relieved of any further responsibility for the resident's care, safety, or well-being.

(8) If a resident being voluntarily discharged into the community, appears to be incapable of living independently of the facility, in addition to the requirements under section (7) of this rule, the facility shall also do the following:

(a) Notify the Department of Human Services in order to obtain social or protective services for the resident immediately after the facility receives notice of the resident's intention to be discharged;

(b) Document such notice to the Department of Human Services in the resident's record along with the resident's notice of intention to be discharged and the expected and actual dates of departure;

(c) Upon notice to the Department of Human Services and upon actual discharge of the resident, the facility shall be relieved of any further responsibility for the resident's care, safety, or well-being.

(9) Each resident transferred from a facility to a hospital, other health care facility, or trial alternative living placement shall have the right to return to the facility immediately upon discharge from the hospital, other health care facility or upon termination of the trial living placement, provided that the resident has continued to pay the facility or payment on behalf of the resident by another person or agency has been provided for the period of the resident's absence. If payment is provided for the period of absence, the facility shall continue the same room assignment for such resident. In cases of nonpayment to the facility during such absence, a resident who requests to return to a facility from a hospital shall be admitted to the facility to the first bed available, with priority over any existing waiting list.

(10) Whenever allowed by the resident's health condition, a resident shall be provided treatment and care, rehabilitative services, and assistance by the facility to prepare the resident to return to the resident's home or other living situation less restrictive than the facility. Upon the request of the resident, guardian, or representative, the facility shall provide him with information regarding available resources and inform him of the appropriate state or social service organizations.

Notes

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-50-.11

O.C.G.A. §§ 31-2-4et seq., 31-8-101, 31-8-116 and 31-8-127.

Original Rule entitled "Transfer and Discharge" adopted. F. Feb. 20, 2013; eff. Mar. 12, 2013.