The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the attached Survey & Certification Letter 18-08 describing an initiative to address facility-initiated discharges from skilled-nursing facilities that violate federal regulations. CMS notes that while federal law protects skilled-nursing facility residents, including their right to remain in the facility except under certain specific circumstances, state long-term care ombudsmen report frequent complaints of facility-initiated discharge or eviction.
CMS notes that the most commonly reported reasons for facility-initiated discharge or eviction are behavioral, mental or emotional expressions or indications of resident distress. In some cases, residents become homeless or remain in hospitals for extended periods.
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