(1) In the event of license revocation or suspension, decertification, or other emergency closures the department will:

(a) Notify residents and, when appropriate, resident representatives of the action;

(b) Assist with residents' relocation and identify possible alternative living choices and locations; and

(2) When a resident's relocation occurs due to an emergency closure from a natural disaster, the nursing home may not be required to cease its business operations unless directed to do so by the department.

(3) When a resident's relocation occurs due to a nursing home's voluntary closure, or voluntary termination of its medicare or medicaid contract or both, the nursing home must:

(a) Notify the department and all residents and resident representatives in accordance with WAC 388-97-1640;

(b) Notify the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the public as required by 42 C.F.R. 489.52, or a successor regulation, if the closure or termination affects the provision of medicare services; and

(c) Provide appropriate discharge planning and coordination for all residents including a plan to the department for safe and orderly transfer or discharge of residents from the nursing home.

(4) The department may provide residents assistance with relocation.

PDFWAC 388-97-4320

Relocation of residents.