Complaint·June 7, 2021

On June 4, 2021, former resident (R1) was interviewed and stated that R1 did not have a problem with staff at this facility. R1 was unable to confirm whether staff made threats to R1 or other residents. The Department has investigated the above allegation. Based on interviews conducted the Department found that the above allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED. An unsubstantiated finding indicates that although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove that the allegation did or did not occur. Exit interview conducted with licensee/administrator. A copy of this report was provided to facility during visit. S1 stated that CCSCC supplements R1's rent payment until Mental Health Housing Authority (MHHA) took over. S1 stated she was not aware that R1 is an SSI (Supplement Security Income) recipient and she did not know why R1 only pays partial rent and CCSCC/MHHA helps with payment. On August 20, 2020, S1 notified R1 that there will be an increase in R1's rent. S1 stated that R1 agreed to the increase and that the facility began charging R1 the new rate as of December 3, 2020 which is more than 90 days of the notice date. S1 stated there was no notice provided to CCSCC or MHHA of the rate increase. Facility records were reviewed. Based on R1's admission agreement signed on October 2, 2019, R1 is only responsible to pay the facility $1058.63 per month. CCSCC pays the remaining charges over $1058.63. Investigation revealed that the SSI payment standard for Non-Medical Out-of-Home Care (NMOHC) is $1058.37 for 2019 and $1079.37 in 2021 as indicated in Provider Information Notice (PIN) 18-12-CCLD and 20-26-CCLD, respectively. The facility's admission agreement states on page 3, "If the resident is an SSI/SSP recipient, then basic services shall be provided at the SSI/SSP rate at no additional charge to the resident..." Records showed that on August 20, 2020, a notice of rate increase was issued by the facility to R1 indicating a $500 increase in R1's financial responsibility effective December 1, 2020. R1 and S1 signed the notice. 2 out of 2 MHHA representatives who were interviewed stated MHHA was not notified by the facility of R1's rate increase. S1 confirmed MHHA is an additional payor for R1. Records and interviews revealed that the facility refunded R1 $2500 on April 14, 2021 to give back rate increase payments from December 2020 to April 2021. S1 stated she refunded the amount after MHHA informed her that R1 is an SSI recipient. The Department has conducted an investigation of the above allegations. Based on LPAs’ observations, records and photos reviewed and interviews conducted, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met. Therefore, the Department found the above allegations to be SUBSTANTIATED . Deficiencies are being cited. See LIC 9099-D. Exit interview conducted with Administrator Isabel Eslava. Appeal rights provided.