F0579 F579: Provide information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
D

Failure to Inform Resident of Insurance Coverage

Lighthouse Healthcare CenterLos Angeles, California Survey Completed on 08-28-2024

Summary

The facility staff failed to inform a resident about her medical coverage during her stay, resulting in a deficiency. The resident, who had diagnoses of depression and anxiety disorder, was admitted to the facility with intact cognitive skills and the capacity to make decisions. However, the facility did not inform her that she lacked secondary insurance coverage, which would cover costs not paid by her primary insurance. This oversight led to the resident receiving a medical bill for the uncovered amount. The facility's electronic medical records lacked documentation indicating that the resident was informed about her lack of secondary coverage. Interviews with the Business Office Manager (BOM) and the Director of Nursing (DON) revealed that the facility's protocol required staff to verify and inform residents about their insurance coverage upon admission and assist them in applying for secondary coverage if needed. However, the BOM admitted that there was no conversation or documentation regarding the resident's lack of secondary coverage, and the DON confirmed that it was the staff's responsibility to assist residents with applying for Medicare services. The resident expressed that she was unaware of her lack of secondary coverage and would have chosen not to stay at the facility had she been informed. She expected the facility staff to inform her of her medical benefits and assist with any issues, but this did not occur. The BOM and DON acknowledged the importance of informing residents about their insurance status to prevent issues with continuous care and financial responsibility for uncovered portions of care.

Penalty

No penalty information released
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:

See other F0579 citations
Missing Medicare and Medicaid Posting Information
C
F0579 F579: Provide information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Short Summary

A facility failed to display required written information for residents and/or their responsible person on how to apply for Medicare and Medicaid benefits and how to receive refunds for previous payments covered by Medicare and Medicaid. Surveyors observed the missing information on the First Floor, Second Floor nursing unit, and Fourth Floor nursing unit, and the NHA confirmed the omission.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Post Required Medicare/Medicaid Information for Residents
B
F0579 F579: Provide information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Short Summary

Surveyors found that the facility did not display required written information in common posting areas, such as the lobby and hallways near nursing units, explaining how residents and their representatives can apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits and obtain refunds for previous payments covered by those programs. During an interview, the NHA confirmed that this information was not posted anywhere in the building, resulting in noncompliance with state requirements for licensee responsibility and management.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Display Medicare and Medicaid Benefit Information
C
F0579 F579: Provide information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Short Summary

The facility did not display required written information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits, or how to receive refunds for previous payments covered by these benefits. This was confirmed during observations and an interview with the NHA.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Display Required Medicare and Medicaid Information
C
F0579 F579: Provide information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Short Summary

The facility did not display written information on how to apply for Medicare and Medicaid benefits or how to receive refunds for previous payments covered by these programs on either the West Wing or East Wing. This was confirmed by observation and staff interview.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Display Required Medicare and Medicaid Information
E
F0579 F579: Provide information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Short Summary

The facility did not display written information for residents or their responsible persons on how to apply for Medicare and Medicaid benefits or obtain refunds for payments covered by these programs, as confirmed by observation and the DON.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Display Medicare and Medicaid Application Information
D
F0579 F579: Provide information about how to apply for and use Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
Short Summary

The facility did not display required written information about applying for Medicare and Medicaid benefits or obtaining refunds for previous payments covered by these programs on both nursing floors, as confirmed by observations and the NHA.

Inspection fine: $37,480
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
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