Bill > SB95

This bill modifies the existing Georgia law regarding Certificate of Need (CON) exemptions for life plan communities by differentiating between for-profit and not-for-profit facilities. The bill allows both types of life plan communities to have skilled nursing components, but imposes specific restrictions on not-for-profit facilities regarding the use of nursing home beds by non-residents during the first five years of operation. Initially, these facilities can use up to 50% of their beds for non-residents, with this percentage gradually decreasing each year until the facility is exclusively used by its own residents. The bill also specifies that sheltered nursing home beds in for-profit life plan communities used by non-residents will not be eligible for Medicaid reimbursement. A key provision ensures that existing patients will not be forced to leave the community and that residents always have access to the sheltered nursing facility. The department is authorized to create rules defining and regulating "sheltered nursing facilities" consistent with these guidelines. This legislation aims to provide more flexibility for life plan communities while maintaining certain restrictions to protect resident access and care.

Health and Social Services

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69897