CT HB05457

Nursing homes receiving state Medicaid payments must admit applicants in order of application submission, with a receipt provided showing date and time of acceptance, and maintain an electronic waiting list accessible to applicants and state agencies.

Nursing homes must provide admission applications by mail, electronic transmission, or website; develop policies addressing application requirements, privacy protection, and electronic list integrity; and post notices informing applicants of protections against discrimination based on payment source.

Nursing homes may remove applicants from waiting lists no sooner than 90 days after initial placement if unresponsive to inquiries, with 30 additional days allowed before removal, and may conduct annual continuation inquiries using the same timeframe.

The Department of Social Services must investigate complaints of violations and may reduce per diem reimbursement rates by 0.25% for initial violations and 1% for each additional violation, with facilities allowed to request administrative hearings within 15 days of notice.

Nursing homes with fewer than 30% self-pay residents may waive admission requirements for indigent applicants for six months (with beds held no more than 30 days); vacancies in private rooms are exempt from waiting list requirements; and applicants transferring from closing facilities may bypass the waiting list if transfer occurs within 60 days.