Evacuation costs may be levied on ill-prepared La. SNFs

In anticipation of the 2013 hurricane season that begins June 1, officials at the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) are reminding nursing homes that they will be billed if a facility can’t perform its emergency evacuation plan.

DHH State Medical Director Jimmy Guidry said in a report by WABF TV, Baton Rouge, “The State and Federal governments bring in resources to help them to achieve moving their residents. Afterward we go in and see if the plan was feasible.”

However, Joseph Donchess of the Louisiana Nursing Home Association is concerned about how charges would be levied by the DHH. This legislation was part of the department’s post-Katrina legislation to avoid disasters like the St. Rita’s Nursing Home incident where 35 people drowned.

Although the rule is currently in effect, the DHH could waive the charge in times of crisis.

Sandra Hoban

Sandra Hoban was on I Advance Senior Care / Long-Term Living’s editorial staff for 17 years. She is one of the country’s longest-serving senior care journalists. Before joining Long-Term Living, she was a member of the promotions department at Advanstar Communications. In addition to her editorial experience, Sandi has served past roles in print and broadcast advertising as a traffic and talent coordinator.