Section 481.63.50. Respite care services.

Respite care services means an organized program of temporary supportive care provided for 24 hours or more to a person in order to relieve the usual caregiver of the person from providing continual care to the person. A facility which chooses to provide respite care services must meet the following requirements related to respite care services and must be licensed as a health care facility.

       63.50(1) A facility which chooses to provide respite care services is not required to obtain a separate license or pay a license fee.

       63.50(2) Rules regarding involuntary discharge or transfer rights do not apply to residents who are being cared for under a respite care contract.

       63.50(3) The facility shall have a contract with each resident in the facility. When the resident is there for respite care services, the contract shall specify the time period during which the resident will be considered to be receiving respite care services. At the end of that period, the contract may be amended to extend that period of time. The contract shall specifically state the resident may be involuntarily discharged while being considered as a respite care resident. The contract shall meet other requirements for contracts between a health care facility and resident, except the requirements concerning the holding and charging for a bed when a resident is hospitalized or leaves the facility temporarily for recreational or therapeutic reasons.

       63.50(4) Respite care services shall not be provided by a facility to persons requiring a level of care which is higher than the level of care the facility is licensed to provide.