RHODE ISLAND
The Rhode Island General Assembly took several actions in 2002 that affect licensing of the assisted living industry and reimbursement rates for nursing homes. Using federal grant funds, the state also continued efforts to move more people out of nursing homes who could benefit from living in a community setting.
Assisted Living
The General Assembly amended the Assisted Living Resident Licensing Act in 2002. The bill specifies the level of care that is appropriate for assisted living residents. The legislation also requires criminal background checks for owners, operators and administrators of these facilities. (The state previously required background checks only for direct care staff, unlicensed staff and home health care workers.) Residences also are required to implement and maintain a documented, ongoing quality assurance program.
In 2002, the licensing category of resident care and assisted living facilities was changed to "assisted living residence." The rules define "assisted living residence" as a "publicly or privately operated residence that provides directly or indirectly by means of contracts or arrangements personal assistance to meet the resident's changing needs and preferences, lodging, and meals to two or more adults." Other changes included a new section that adds to the contents of a written agreement in the resident rights section and increases training requirements for administrators.
Nursing Homes
The legislature also revoked the $3.71 per day increase in Medicaid reimbursement for nursing facilities that had been enacted in 2001. Lawmakers also enacted a bill that eliminates the requirement that a licensed residential care/assisted living facility must participate in the Medicaid program before it can seek nursing facility licensure.
The state received a $600,000 federal Systems Change grant in 2002 to assist in moving people from nursing homes to the community. Rhode Island officials estimated that about 400 residents of institutions would likely benefit from discharge to a community setting if their needs could be met. The state planned to use the grant to bring in services coordinators from the elderly service network and independent living centers to aid in the transition activities and for referral and communications support. The project, which will build on the state's 1998 "Date Certain" Nursing Home Transition Program, will be directed and monitored by an oversight committee composed of consumers, state agency representatives, private agencies and service providers.
BACK TO INDEX
BACK TO REPORT
|
