It is always an exciting time when a new resident chooses to move into your community! Many hours of work from your team have paid off and now you welcome a new member to the “family”- but it’s not done yet! The state of Alabama requires a written financial agreement for every new person moving into an Assisted Living Facility. Agreements should always be signed prior to the resident moving in or taking possession of the apartment. Check out the regulations below as to what needs to be included in the written admission agreement:
420-5-4-.05 Records and Reports.
(e) Financial Agreement.
- Prior to, or at the time of admission, the administrator and the resident or the resident’s sponsor shall execute a written financial agreement. This agreement shall be prepared and signed in two or more copies with at least one copy given to the resident, or sponsor if the resident did not sign the agreement, and one copy retained in the assisted living facility. This document shall be made readily accessible to personnel from the State Board of Health during inspections.
- In addition to any information otherwise required by the facility’s policies and procedures this agreement shall contain the following:
(i) A complete list of the facility’s basic charges (room, board, laundry, and personal care and services).
(ii) The period covered by the financial agreement.
(iii) A list of services not covered under basic charges and for which additional charges will be billed.
(iv) The policy and procedures for refunds of any payments made in advance.
(v) The provisions governing termination of the agreement by either party.
(vi) The facility’s bed-hold policy, procedures, and charges.
(vii) Documentation that the resident and sponsor understand that the facility is not staffed and not authorized to perform skilled nursing services nor to care for residents with severe cognitive impairment and that the resident and sponsor agree that if the resident should need skilled nursing services or care for a severe cognitive impairment as a result of a condition that is expected to last for more than 90 days, that the resident will be discharged by the facility after prior written notice.
(viii) A reminder to the resident or sponsor that the local ombudsman may be able to provide assistance if the facility and the resident or family member are unable to resolve a dispute about payment of fees or monies owed.
(ix) Signatures of both parties or authorized representatives.
- Prior to the execution of the financial agreement, the facility shall ensure that the resident or sponsor fully understands its provisions. In the event that a resident is unable to read the agreement due to illiteracy or infirmity, the administrator shall take special steps to ensure communication of its contents to the resident (for example, by having the administrator or sponsor read the agreement to a vision-impaired or illiterate applicant).
Pro Tip:
Walkthrough the entire document, section by section with the client. You should take your time, read everything to them and make sure they understand what they are agreeing to. If they have any questions politely answer and do not make them seem like a hassle. Remember, this experience will set the tone for their entire residency.