complaint·January 27, 2025

Interviews with staff and R1 supported that R1’s agreed-upon rate at admission was $1200 on 04/29/2022, but Administrator verbally agreed to a lower rate upon R1’s request. LPA reviewed records and observed the monthly rate in the admission agreement to be $4200, of which $1200 is from SSI and $3000 is from Medi-Cal. Administrator stated that R1 informed them on 12/30/2024, that R1 will be moving to a homeless shelter as they cannot afford rent. Administrator offered to lower R1’s rate to $800 and transfer R1 to a shared room at their other facility, which R1 also confirmed with LPA during interview. R1 further confirmed that their rate was informally lowered upon request and that they were offered a rate as low as $600. While rates were changed without the required notice, the changes were made informally and were decreased so that R1 could make their payments, not increased. R1’s agreed-upon rate in their signed admission agreement is $1200, and Administrator did not increase above this rate without the proper notice required. LPA interviewed three (3) other residents and reviewed records; no evidence of the allegation was observed. LPA held a discussion with the Administrator about regulations surrounding rate changes and informed Administrator to properly document and notify rate increases. Health and Safety Code section 1569.655(a) states “if a licensee of a residential care facility for the elderly increases the rates of fees for residents or makes increases in any of its rate structures for services, the licensee shall provide no less than 60 days' prior written notice to the residents or the residents' representatives…”. As rates were not increased from the rate in R1’s admission agreement, a 60-day prior notice is not required in this scenario. The information obtained during the investigation did not include evidence sufficient to corroborate the allegation. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not sufficient evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation “Staff did not provide resident with proper notification prior to fee increase” is deemed UNSUBSTANTIATED at this time. Administrator telephonically designated staff Karyna Deputativa to sign the report. No deficiencies cited at this time. Exit interview conducted. A copy of the report was issued.