Transfer and Discharge Rights
Definition: The federal protections governing when and how a nursing home may transfer or discharge a resident, including required notice periods, documentation, appeal rights, and permissible reasons for transfer.
In Practice
Facilities may only transfer or discharge residents for specific reasons: the resident's welfare cannot be met, the resident's health has improved so services are no longer needed, the safety of other residents is endangered, the resident has failed to pay, or the facility ceases to operate. Improper transfers and discharges are a significant area of survey focus.