A Discharge Notice Clarification was posted to the Message Board yesterday that included the following message:

" CFR 483.15 (c)(3) Notice before transfer, was included in the updates to the Federal Regulations that were effective November 28, 2016. This requirement related to the notification of transfer or discharge, now includes an additional requirement for the facility to send a copy of the notice to a representative of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

Additionally, CFR 483.15 (c)(5) Contents of the notice continues to require that the notice contain the name, address (mailing and email) and telephone number of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman (this is not new).

In collaboration with the office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman, the Department of Health will review this requirement to ensure that the discharge notices contain all components outlined in the regulation including the contact information for the local and State ombudsman program, but, the notices are mailed, emailed, or faxed to the State Office, not to the local programs.

Attached is some helpful information put together by the PA Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman to assist facilities with compliance with this regulatory requirement."

The attachment is the information by the PA Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman titled, "NH Regs-Clarification on Discharge Notices."