SB-1164, As Passed House, September 29, 2004

HOUSE SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE BILL NO. 1164

                                                                             A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled                                             

"Public health code,"                                                       

by amending section 21777 (MCL 333.21777).                                  

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

1       Sec. 21777.  (1) If a patient  has a temporary absence is                  

2   temporarily absent from a nursing home for emergency medical                

3   treatment, the nursing home shall hold the bed open for 10 days             

4   for that patient in the patient's absence, if there is a                    

5   reasonable expectation that the patient will return within that             

6   period of time and the nursing home receives payment for each day           

7   during the absent period.                                                   

8       (2) If a patient  has a temporary absence is temporarily                   

9   absent from a nursing home for therapeutic reasons as approved by           

10  a physician, the nursing home shall hold the bed open for 18                

11  days, if there is a reasonable expectation that the patient will            

Senate Bill No. 1164 (H-2) as amended September 29, 2004

1   return within that period of time and the nursing home receives             

2   payment for each day during the absent period.  Temporary                   

3   absences for therapeutic reasons are limited to 18 days per                 

4   year.                                                                       

5       (3) When a patient's absence is longer than specified under                 

6   subsection (1) or (2), or both, the patient has the option to               

7   return to the nursing home for the next available bed.                      

8       (4) For title 19 patients, the department of  social                        

9   services community health shall continue funding for the                   

10  temporary absence as provided under subsections (1) and (2) if              

11  the nursing home is at 98% [or more] occupancy except for any bed being     

12  held open under subsection (1) or (2).