F574 - Required Notices and Contact Information

F574 in Appendix PP grants nursing home residents the right to receive any notices from the nursing home both orally and in writing. These notices must be provided in a format and language (including Braille) that they understand. This requirement pertains to the following notices:

• A written description of their legal rights including:
  • A description and manner of protecting the resident’s personal funds when deposited with the nursing home.
  • A description of the requirements and procedures for establishing Medicaid eligibility, including the right to request an assessment of resources under Section 1924(c) of the Social Security Act.
  • A list of names, addresses (mailing and email), and telephone numbers of all pertinent State regulatory and information agencies, resident advocacy groups such as the State Survey Agency, the State Licensure office, State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, the protection and advocacy agency, adult protective services where state law provides for jurisdiction in long-term care, the local contact agency for information about returning to the community, and the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU).
  • A statement that the resident may file a complaint with the State Survey Agency concerning any suspected violations of state or federal nursing facility regulations, including but not limited to resident abuse, neglect, exploitation, misappropriation of resident property, non-compliance with the advance directives requirements and requests for information regarding returning to the community.
  • Information and contact information for State and local advocacy organizations including but not limited to the State Survey Agency, the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, and the protection and advocacy system.
  • Information regarding Medicare and Medicaid eligibility coverage.
  • Contact information for the Aging and Disability Resource Center or other No Wrong Door Program.
  • Contact information for the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU).
  • Information and contact information for filing grievances or complaints concerning any suspected violation of state or federal nursing facility regulations, including but not limited to resident abuse, neglect, exploitation, misappropriation of resident property, non-compliance with advance directives requirements, and requests for information regarding returning to the community.

The interpretive guidance provides additional clarification that the nursing home is expected to provide interpreter services if necessary, including American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters. Additionally, the nursing home is expected to have large print texts of the statement of resident rights and responsibilities available. Regarding Medicaid eligibility, the interpretive guidance indicates that married couples have the right to also have the State agency assess their resources.

This regulation is not frequently cited. The few times that it has been reviewed in survey reports includes when the contact information was not present. If you have this posted, ensure that residents in wheelchairs can read the information.