Valued Voice

The state Department of Health Services (DHS) has opened the process for the redistribution of closed nursing home beds within the same county, responding to the growing needs of an aging population and aligning with one of WHA’s key priorities as hospitals and families increasingly struggle to find availability for post-acute care.

Previously, DHS rules allowed for nursing home bed redistribution only in counties where the occupancy rate was greater than 94%. That restriction effectively limited redistribution to only one county.

Under the new process, DHS may redistribute the beds within the affected county if the total occupancy level for the other nursing homes in the county is equal to or more than the statewide average and the number of other nursing home beds for each 1,000 persons 65 years of age or over in the county is less than 80% of the statewide average.

If those criteria are met, other nursing homes in the impacted county can apply for some or all the beds. DHS anticipates it will post requests for applications twice per year.

More information is now available on DHS’ webpage for Nursing Homes: Redistribution of Closed Beds. 

Please also feel free to reach out to WHA Vice President of Federal Affairs & Advocacy Jon Hoelter or WHA Policy Counsel Andrew Hanus with questions or concerns.