On November 18, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released revised guidance for nursing home surveyors. Surveyors began using this revised guidance on April 28, 2025. As part of this revision, CMS has removed the terms “facility-initiated” and “resident-initiated” when referring to discharges. The updated guidance reiterates the language at 483.15(c)(3) that requires facilities to send a copy of all notices of transfer or discharge to the representative of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program has developed an easy and efficient way for facilities to meet the ombudsman notification requirement for transfers and discharges. By completing the Transfer Discharge Ombudsman Notice and uploading the transfer/discharge notice, the requirement to notify the ombudsman program will be complete. Once the notice is submitted, the facility will receive an email notification as proof of submission. Completion of the survey with the notice attached will take the place of the monthly list and emailed notices to the regional programs. Requirements for content of transfer/discharge notices can be found at §483.15(c)(5).