Should assisted living facilities that accept Medicaid follow the same rules as other health care providers? According to a new brief by the National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC), the answer is a resounding yes. The new brief, "Medicaid Payment for Assisted Living: Preventing Discrimination against Medicaid-Eligible Residents", outlines the Center’s position that calls for stronger oversight of assisted living facilities in light of current common practices that allows them to kick out or refuse to admit people who are eligible for Medicaid. NSCLC notes that absent federal oversight, varying rules and protections are available at the state level but can cause confusion and inconsistencies in their application at Assisted Living facilities.
"Assisted living facilities are glad to accept Medicaid money, but they don’t live by the same rules as other health care providers," said NSCLC Executive Director Paul Nathanson. "If they agree to accept Medicaid, assisted living facilities should be held accountable. Such practices bring anxiety, trauma, and dislocation for vulnerable seniors and those who care about them," Carlson noted. "If a facility is Medicaid-certified and you live there, you shouldn’t have to worry about having to leave your home because management wants to have more people who pay top dollar."
For the full brief, visit "Medicaid Payment for Assisted Living: Preventing Discrimination against Medicaid-Eligible Residents"
