California Nursing Home and Dependent Care Regulations
Nursing Home Licensing and Certification
All health care facilities in California are required to be licensed, regulated, inspected, and/or certified by a number of public and private agencies at the state and federal levels. This means nursing homes and dependent care facilities must meet California standards or risk losing their licenses.
Additionally, health care facilities and nursing homes that participate in Medicare and Medi-Cal programs must meet both federal standards and California requirements. Most California nursing homes are certified to participate in both Medicare and Medi-Cal.
Other caregivers that must be certified by the California Department of Public Health Licensing and Certification Program include nurse assistants, home health aides, hemodialysis technicians, and the licensing of nursing home administrators.
Agencies That Oversee Nursing Home, Dependent Care and Other Health Facilities in California
The two main agencies that oversee and enforce regulation of nursing homes and health facilities are:
- California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Licensing and Certification Program; and
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Types of Health Care Facility Licenses in California
There are many types of licenses that can be issued to dependent care facilities In California, but the most common nursing home licenses are issued for Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs).
SNF licenses are issued to health facilities that provide skilled nursing and supportive care to patients/residents that require care on a long-term basis. Most, but not all, licensed skilled nursing facilities in California are also certified to participate in Medicare and Medi-Cal.
Other licenses in California for health facilities providing dependent care include:
- Distinct Part/Skilled Nursing Facility (DP/SNF)
- Intermediate Care Facilities (ICFs)
- (1) ICF/DD (Intermediate Care Facility/Developmentally Disabled); (2) ICF/DD-N (Intermediate Care Facility/Developmentally Disabled- Nursing); and (3) ICF/DD-H (Intermediate Care Facility/Developmentally Disabled-Habilitative).
- Institutes for Mental Disease (IMDs).
- Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)
All health care, mental health, nursing homes, and other dependent care facilities have one thing in common: regulations that protect patients and residents from neglect and mental, emotional, and physical abuse. [Signs of Dependent Care Neglect and Abuse]
Consumer Information Links
- Southwest Healthcare System - Federal and State Actions
- Health Facilities Consumer Information System (HFCIS)
- Breach of Confidential Patient Medical Information
- Hospital Administered Penalties
- Nursing Home AA Citations
- Nursing Home Patient Rights
- Nursing Home Compare
- Hospital Compare
- How to File a Nursing Home Complaint
- Elder/Dependent Care Abuse Attorney Information
Free Consultation With an Experienced California Abuse and Wrongful Death Attorney
If someone you love has suffered an injury or a wrongful death as a result of neglect or abuse in a nursing home or other dependent or health care facility, we can help. California law limits the amount of time you have to file a lawsuit, so it is important that you contact us as soon as possible. Contact us today for a free initial consultation and case evaluation with one of our skilled and compassionate attorneys.
For help, call our Beverly Hills, CA office at (310) 275-9131 or our office in Santa Barbara at (805) 962-0099.