Under Phase I of the new requirements of participation (ROPs), SNFs must notify residents at a minimum of 60 days in advance of any changes to charges not covered under Medicare/Medicaid services. LeadingAge Ohio has reached out to CMS for clarification if this notice is also applicable to private pay rate changes. If it does apply, LeadingAge Ohio is also seeking clarification if notification by November 27 would suffice since that is before the effective date. The actual language in the rule is below:483.1 Resident Rights
(18) The facility must inform each resident before, or at the time of admission, and periodically during the resident's stay, of services available in the facility and of charges for those services, including any charges for services not covered under Medicare/Medicaid or by the facility's per diem rate.
(i) Where changes in coverage are made to items and services covered by Medicare and/or by the Medicaid State plan, the facility must provide notice to residents of the change as soon as is reasonably possible.
(ii) Where changes are made to charges for other items and services that the facility offers, the facility must inform the resident in writing at least 60 days prior to implementation of the change.