§ 73504. Bed Hold.

(a) If a patient of an intermediate care facility is transferred to a general acute care hospital as defined in Section 1250(a) of the Health and Safety Code, the intermediate care facility shall afford the patient a bed hold of seven (7) days, which may be exercised by the patient or the patient's representative.

(1) Upon transfer to a general acute care hospital, the patient or the patient's representative shall notify the intermediate care facility within twenty-four (24) hours after being informed of the right to have the bed held, if the patient desires the bed hold.

(2) Except as provided in Section 51535.1, Title 22, California Administrative Code, any patient who exercises the bed hold option shall be liable to pay reasonable charges, not to exceed the patient's daily rate for care in the facility, for bed hold days.

(3) If the patient's attending physician notifies the intermediate care facility in writing that the patient's stay in the general acute care hospital is expected to exceed seven (7) days, the intermediate care facility shall not be required to maintain the bed hold.

(b) Upon admission of the patient to the intermediate care facility and upon transfer of the patient of an intermediate care facility to a general acute care hospital, the intermediate care facility shall inform the patient, or the patient's representative, in writing of the right to exercise this bed hold provision. No later than June 1, 1985, every intermediate care facility shall inform each current patient or patient's representative in writing of the right to exercise the bed hold provision. Each notice shall include information that a non-Medi-Cal eligible patient will be liable for the cost of the bed hold days, and that insurance may or may not cover such costs.

(c) A licensee who fails to meet these requirements shall offer to the patient the next available bed appropriate for the patient's needs. This requirement shall be in addition to any other remedies provided by law.

HISTORY

1. New section filed 12-17-84 as an emergency; effective upon filing (Register 85, No. 1). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL within 120 days or emergency language will be repealed on 4-16-85.

2. Certificate of Compliance including amendment of subsection (b) transmitted to OAL 4-11-85 and filed 5-15-85 (Register 85, No. 21).

Note

Note: Authority cited: Sections 213(a), 1275 and 1276, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 1275 and1276, Health and Safety Code.