DHHS Fact Sheet for Deseret Facility Closures, Logan Valley Manor

Department of Health and Human Services

Fact Sheet for Deseret Facility Closures

DHHS has been notified of the closings of both Ainsworth Care Center in Ainsworth and Logan Valley Manor in Lyons.

We are closely monitoring the situation at both facilities through email and telephone contacts as well as on-site visits by health care facility surveyors to assure:

• Appropriate care and services are being provided;
• Residents are being placed in alternate facilities in an appropriate and timely manner; and
• The facilities remain in operation until the last resident is placed.

Is a 30-day or 60-day notice required?

• There is a federal requirement that covers both Medicare- and Medicaid-certified facilities. Such a facility must give a 60-day notice to residents of the facility prior to closure.
• DHHS requires a 30-day notice for closure of a facility that is licensed by the State.
• When two sets of regulations apply, the facility must follow the most stringent which, in this case, is the federally required 60-day notice.

What if the facility doesn’t follow the requirements?

• There is potential discipline for the facility administrator, but that would be determined by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

What is DHHS’ role?

• The role of DHHS is to ensure the care and safety of the residents and licensure of the facility. What occurs regarding the sale or purchase of the facility is a business decision, and DHHS is not involved in that process.

Where can people go to find alternate placements for residents?

• The facility is required to assist in finding placement for residents so please contact the facility first for assistance.
• There are two websites that can be used to screen potential nursing homes to determine if they are appropriate for residents:
  • http://www.nebraska.gov/LISSearch/search.cgi will provide the survey/inspection history of the facility along with any state or federal action that was taken as a result.
  • http://www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare/?version=default&browser=IE%257C6%257CWinXP&language=English&defaultstatus=0&pagelist=Home&CookiesEnabledStatus=True&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1 will provide information regarding quality of care measures, staffing data, and other information related to the quality of care provided by the facility.

Contact information for DHHS if you have questions or concerns:

• Monday thru Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, you can call 402-471-3324.
• After hours or on weekends or holidays, you can call 402-499-4417.
• You can email at any time eve.lewis@nebraska.gov. You may also contact the State Ombudsman’s office at 1-800-942-7880.

May 5, 2015