SB 491 Summary

• Establishes a voluntary third party dispute resolution process allowing health facilities to appeal deficiency findings in state health department survey reports.

• Requires the state department to contract with an independent third party to conduct the dispute resolution process, with reviews to be held within 30 calendar days of the facility's request.

• Health facilities must submit a plan of correction and dispute resolution request within 10 calendar days of receiving the deficiency statement, and may request the review be held at their facility and be accompanied by counsel.

• The independent third party must issue a written determination with rationale within 30 business days; the state department may reverse the determination but must notify the facility in writing within 10 calendar days if it does so.

• Requires the state department and independent third party to report statistical data on process utilization and outcomes to the select joint commission on Medicaid oversight every six months, effective July 1, 2011.