August 2023

Losing Your Medicaid Eligibility?
 
Recently the NJ LTCO has received several complaints from residents who are being discharged because they are no longer eligible for Medicaid. In these cases, the residents and the LTC facility have been notified that the resident’s Medicaid coverage will stop because their care needs are not significant enough to require nursing home care. In these situations, residents should receive written notification that they have the right to appeal their Medicaid denial to their managed care organization and to the State. Residents also have the right to appeal any involuntary discharge or transfer action the facility is taking as a result. In addition, any resident who is being discharged against their will should receive a 30-day discharge notice which includes appeal information. If this happens to you, call the LTCO at 1-877-582-6995 or email us at ombudsman@ltco.nj.gov.

Holiday Residents’ Rights Bingo

Curtis Davis, a regional coordinator for the NJI Choose Home program, hosted Residents’ Rights Bingo on July 4 at Fountain Springs Rehab in Cape May Court House. Residents' Rights Bingo is an educational board game designed for use by older adults and individuals with disabilities. The game is played like regular bingo, but it is based on Federal residents' rights requirements. I Choose Home NJ is a partnership between the NJ LTCO and the NJ Department of Human Services designed to identify residents who wish to move from nursing homes back to the community with the services and supports they need. Curtis is pictured here behind Donald Truslow, Resident Council President, and other residents who participated.

If you want to invite the LTCO to host Residents’ Rights Bingo in your facility, contact the LTCO at 1-877-582-6995 or email us at outreach@ltco.nj.gov.

Residents’ Rights Corner: Visits and Activities

Nursing Home residents have many rights under Federal Law, including the right to Visits and Activities. 

You have the right: 

• To choose your schedules consistent with your interests and assessments.
• To choose health care schedules consistent with your interests and preferences. 
• To meet with any visitors of your choice at the time of your choosing as long as it does not impose on the rights of other residents, and conforms with the facility’s policies.
• To take part in nursing home activities, and to meet with, and participate in the activities of any social, religious and community groups.
• To leave the nursing home during the day or, in coordination with the facility, for an overnight visit.
• To refuse to perform services for the nursing home.
• To request visits at any time by representatives of the religion of your choice and to attend outside religious services at your own expense.
• To participate in meals, recreation and social activities without being subjected to discrimination based on your age, race, religion, sex or nationality.
• To organize and participate in a Resident or Family Council that presents residents’ concerns to the administration of the facility – and to which the administration is required to respond. 

If you or any resident you know is experiencing a violation of these rights, call our office for advocacy: 1-877-582-6995.