Agencies
Services
Provider Notice issued 09/17/03
Bed Reserve Policy Clarification
| To: | Long Term Care Providers |
| Date: | September 17, 2003 |
| Re: | Bed Reserve Policy Clarification |
Effective July 1, 2003, the department no longer reimburses nursing facilities for holding a bed while a resident is temporarily out of the facility for a hospitalization. The Nursing Home Care Act continues to require that facilities hold a bed for up to ten days per hospitalization.
As stated in a Long Term Care Provider Handbook update dated July 31, 2003, the department will continue to reimburse for bed reserve while an individual is out of the facility for a therapeutic home visit if the facility has an occupancy level of at least 93%. Maximum reimbursable days for a therapeutic home visit continue as seven consecutive or ten non-consecutive days per billing month.
No charges for any part of a bed hold period will be adjusted against the resident's income or applied when determining if spenddown is met by the Department of Human Services local office caseworker.
Facilities that hold a bed are still required to complete a Form DPA 2234, Bed Reserve/Temporary Absence Form, using the appropriate code listed in the provider handbook.
If you have any questions concerning this policy, contact the Bureau of Long Term Care at 217-524-7244.
Anne Marie Murphy, Ph.D.
Administrator
Division of Medical Programs