On August 26, 2021, a State of Emergency was declared by Governor Edwards due to Hurricane Ida. To ensure the health, safety, and coordination of services to patients, the Louisiana Department of Health will allow a licensed Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (an “ICF/DD”) to temporarily relocate it patients to another approved licensed location within Louisiana for up to one-year if: (a) the facility has evacuated or temporarily located outside of its licensed region; (b) has been severely/damaged or destroyed or is otherwise inhabitable; (c) the ICF/DD intends to return once all repairs are completed; (d) the ICF/DD identifies another location that can be licensed as an ICF/DD and submits notice to the La. Dept. of Health for a temporary license by September 15, 2021; (e) the ICF/DD allows all clients to relocate to the temporary licensed location; (f) the ICF/DD is responsible for ensuring that all essential care and services are provided to each recipient; and (g) the ICF/DD does not interfere with a client’s right to choose a provider of his/her choice.
This relocation also allows for Medicaid vendor payments to resume, assuming certain criteria are met.
For more information regarding this process or any questions relating patient care during the cleanup and recovery from Hurricane Ida, please feel free to contact us at info@chehardy.com.