Skilled Nursing
Overview
Nursing homes, also known as skilled nursing providers, are licensed and certified by the Department of Public Health and receive reimbursement from the Department of Health Care Services. Staff in Nursing Homes are also licensed by the Department of Public Health including certified nursing assistants and nursing home administrators; however, registered nurses and vocational nurses are licensed by the Department of Consumer Affairs. Skilled Nursing Facilities/Nursing Homes provide medical care for chronically ill and short-term residents.
Skilled Nursing providers represent over one third of our membership nationwide. It is more important than ever for nonprofit nursing homes to join LeadingAge California and LeadingAge. Together, our associations provide both a state and national voice for long-term services and supports throughout the care continuum, while encouraging collaboration across service lines. Membership offers opportunities to learn how to innovate and develop multispecialty, interdisciplinary approaches that will keep nursing homes a viable option for the future.
Events and Education for Skilled Nursing
Tailored Education and Trainings for Nursing Homes. LeadingAge California staff will work to design and execute an education and training curriculum for your staff.
Resources
New Laws
In 2021, the California Legislature passed the following measures into law:
AB 279 (Muratsuchi) – ICFs and SNFs: COVID-19
LeadingAge California Position: Neutral
This proposed law would have prohibited a Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) or a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) from terminating, or making significant changes to, its skilled nursing or supportive care services during the state of emergency related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) unless the owner files a bankruptcy petition. It would have required facility owners to notify all residents and their representatives of any resident's COVID-19 infection.
AB 323 (Kalra) – SNF Violations
LeadingAge California Position: Oppose
Changes the standard for Department of Public Health (DPH) when issuing penalties against long-term care (LTC) facilities for violations that result in the death of a resident from "direct proximate cause" to "substantial factor" and the death was a result of the violation. Increases the amount of civil penalties assessed against LTC facilities.
AB 749 (Nazarian) – Certifications for SNF Medical Directors
LeadingAge California Position: Neutral
Prohibits a skilled nursing facility (SNF) from contracting with a person as a medical director if the person is not, or will not be within five years, certified by the American Board of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine (ABPLM) as a Certified Medical Director.
AB 849 (Reyes) – SNF Liability
LeadingAge California Position: Oppose
Clarifies that a licensee is liable for up to $500 per violation when a current or former resident, or patient, or the legal representative, personal representative, or successor in interest of a current or former resident or patient, of a LTC facility brings a civil action against the facility for violation of any rights of the resident or patient as set forth in the Patient's Bill of Rights or any other right provided for by federal or state law or regulation. Provides that the above per violation penalty applies to violations that occur on or after March 1, 2021.
AB 1042 (Jones-Sawyer) – SNF Related Parties
LeadingAge California Position: Neutral
Authorizes, effective January 1, 2023 the Department of Public Health (DPH), when a skilled nursing facility (SNF) fails to pay certain penalties, and all appeals have been exhausted, to provide written notice to the SNF and any "related parties" (businesses in which the SNF owner has an ownership or control interest of 5% or more), that DPH may take legal action to recover the unpaid penalty amount from the SNFs' financial interest in the related party. Requires DPH to give written notice to related parties when a citation has been issued against a SNF, and to advise the related parties of the potential action if the violation is not remedied. Requires the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to give notice to related parties that DHCS may take legal action to recover unpaid quality assurance fees (QAF) from the SNFs financial interest in a related party.
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