Skip to main content
Close
  • About
  • Agency Authority & Rules
  • Iowa Commission on Aging
  • Area Agencies on Aging
  • Nominate an Individual for Lifetime Contributions to Aging
  • Educational Resources
  • COVID-19 for Older Iowans
  • E-Newsletter
  • Articles
  • Press Releases
  • Resources
  • Connect to Resources
  • Connect an Older Iowan to Resources
  • Supportive Services
  • LifeLong Links
  • Case Management
  • Veteran-Directed HCBS
  • Health, Prevention & Wellness
  • Nutrition
  • Falls Prevention
  • Mental Health
  • Oral Health
  • Family Caregiver Support
  • Senior Employment
  • Elder Justice & Adult Protective Services
  • 2019 Elder Abuse Work Group
  • Legal Assistance
  • Elder Abuse Prevention & Awareness
  • Office of Public Guardian
  • State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
  • Find Your Local Long-Term Care Ombudsman
  • Volunteer Ombudsman Program
  • Managed Care Ombudsman Program
  • Resource Library
  • COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities
  • The Advocate E-Newsletter
  • LIFELONG LINKS
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
Iowa Department On Aging
MENU
  • LIFELONG LINKS
  • Resources
  • Contact Us
  • A
  • A
Iowa Department on Aging
  • About
    • Agency Authority & Rules
    • Iowa Commission on Aging
    • Area Agencies on Aging
    • Nominate an Individual for Lifetime Contributions to Aging
  • Educational Resources
    • COVID-19 for Older Iowans
    • E-Newsletter
    • Articles
    • Press Releases
    • Resources
  • Connect to Resources
    • Connect an Older Iowan to Resources
    • Supportive Services
    • LifeLong Links
    • Case Management
    • Veteran-Directed HCBS
    • Health, Prevention & Wellness
    • Nutrition
    • Falls Prevention
    • Mental Health
    • Oral Health
    • Family Caregiver Support
    • Senior Employment
    • Elder Justice & Adult Protective Services
    • 2019 Elder Abuse Work Group
    • Legal Assistance
    • Elder Abuse Prevention & Awareness
    • Office of Public Guardian
  • State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
    • Find Your Local Long-Term Care Ombudsman
    • Volunteer Ombudsman Program
    • Managed Care Ombudsman Program
    • Resource Library
    • COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities
    • The Advocate E-Newsletter
  • Home 
  • Involuntary Discharge

Involuntary Discharge

An involuntary discharge from a long-term care facility occurs when the facility provides a 31-day written notice to a resident informing him/her of the need to move out of the facility. By law, a facility must permit residents to remain in a facility and not discharge them unless:

  • The resident’s health has improved sufficiently so he/she no longer needs the services provided by the facility;
  • The safety of individuals in the facility is endangered;
  • The health of individuals in the facility is endangered;
  • The resident has failed, after reasonable and appropriate notice, to pay for a stay at the facility; or
  • The facility ceases to operate.

Residents have the option to appeal an involuntary discharge within seven (7) days of receiving notice.

Discharge Notification Process

New regulations went into effect in November 2016 requiring notices for all discharges/transfers from a facility to be provided to the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. The OSLTCO is still reviewing and making determinations regarding the impact of this regulation; however, we can offer the following comments:

  • All involuntary discharge notices must comply with state regulations still in effect.
  • Non-involuntary discharge notices must be transmitted to the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman per the new regulations. The non-involuntary discharge notices may be transmitted via mail to 510 E. 12th Street, Suite 2, Des Moines, IA 50319, via fax to (515) 725-3313 or via email to  katie.mulford@iowa.gov.
  • Please be sure that the notice includes a reason for the discharge. 
  • Do not include protected personal information, such as a Social Security Number or date of birth, in the notice.  
  • If using face sheets as notices, please include a reason for the discharge and redact all protected personal information.
  • If the notice you are providing includes appeal rights, please include the correct appeal rights for the type of discharge you are issuing.

Please consult your facility counsel, corporate counsel or industry trade association for additional guidance regarding these notices.

Get Assistance

If you are a long-term care resident or tenant in need of assistance with an involuntary discharge, or if you are a facility staff member with questions or concerns about the discharge process, call the Discharge Specialist at (866) 236-1430.

  • Call Us
  • 800-532-3213
  • State of Iowa  |
  • Privacy Policy  |
  • Terms & Conditions  |
  • Sitemap

Iowa Department on Aging ©2021