A Word About Licensing, Certification, and Contracts
Each state has it own licensing requirements for a skilled nursing care facility. In California, for example, the State Department of Health Services oversees the licensing of all nursing facilities. In Oregon, licensing is handled by the Senior and Disabled Services Division (SDSD) of the Oregon Department of Human Services. In Washington, the appropriate agency is the Aging & Adult Services Administration, Department of Health and Social Services. Besides having certification to take Medicaid or Medicare, a nursing home may also be part of a private program of accreditation by the Long Term Care Program of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
Once you choose a nursing home, read the contract carefully to avoid hidden costs and other unpleasant surprises. In California, a nursing home contract must include itemized charges. It may not include provisions that discriminate against residents eligible for Medicaid (MediCal in California) or require a resident’s family member to become responsible for nursing home charges. The contract also may not waive the facility’s legal liability for patient injuries, abuse, or lost property nor require patients to give blanket consents to medical treatments.
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