Community nursing home program | veterans affairs

CNH PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY Eligibility is based upon an evaluation for the following: * Medical need for skilled nursing care, or long-term care. * Service connection (SC) of a single category

rating of 60% with individual unemployability OR 70%-100% SC, OR need for skilled care for a SC condition, OR hospice related care. * Review of documented need which shows a Veteran

requires, hands on weight bearing support for three or more activities of daily living (ADL), such as bathing, toileting, dressing, transferring, bed mobility, hygiene, or general mobility

support. * Respite is provided to those who meet the above requirements and have a minimum of two ADL needs requiring weight bearing support. CARE CONCERNS Every Nursing home is required to

have an ombudsman assigned by the state of Oregon. This information should be shared with Veterans and families upon admission and should be posted at the NH in a prominent area. The CNH

team highly recommends concerns be presented to the staff at the facility for immediate resolution, then to the ombudsman if more help is needed. The Department of Health and Senior Services

also has an abuse and neglect hotline that can be utilized.  The CNH team is happy to work with Veterans and CNHs to resolve concerns as well. TYPES OF CNH CARE SHORT-STAY SKILLED CARE: 

This care is for Veterans with conditions requiring care by licensed staff members such as a nurse, therapist, wound care specialist or dietitian. Veterans entering the program for short

stay will be supported for discharge from the CNH Program with-in 100 days or transition to long term care. LONG-TERM CARE: This care is for Veterans with chronic health problems who require

the daily support of skilled nursing staff. Most Veteran’s entering long-term care can expect to make the nursing home their permanent residence. Some Veteran’s will require longer than 100

days for healing and recovery. Any stay longer than 100 days, even one with plans to return home, is considered long-term care. RESPITE: This care is for Veterans whose chronic health

problems require a continuous caregiver at home. Respite care provides temporary care giving relief at one of our VA Community NH Placements. This option is available up to 30 days per

calendar year and can be used in one setting or broken up into two 15-day settings. HOSPICE CARE: This care is for SC and NSC Veterans with a terminal illness who require the daily support

of skilled nursing staff. A VA provider must certify hospice care is appropriate. In addition, NSC Veterans must have a documented prognosis of less than two months by an MD or NP. An NSC

Veteran can only be granted a one time, contracting exception of 60 days, to bridge to Medicaid or private pay. IMPACT OF BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION Veterans Benefit Administration does not

reduce SC compensation due to CNH admission, but the Aid and Attendance portion of the benefit ends after 90 days and may result in an over payment. A Veteran or responsible family member

should make arrangements to set aside Aid and Attendance funds in the event they should be repaid to the VBA. INCLUDED CNH BENEFITS The VA CNH Program per diem rate is intended to be all

inclusive and covers the following areas: * Skilled nursing care 24 hours/day; * A semi-private room (Veterans can choose to pay extra for a private room if available); * Evaluation of

therapy needs; * Approved therapy services (pre-authorization required) * House MD services at the CNH; * Routine supplies, labs and x-ray care; * Medications (special consideration for high

cost meds); * Please alert the CNH team immediately if there are billing concerns or assessed copayments. VETERAN RESPONSIBILITY DURING CNH STAY * Make financial arrangements with the CNH

if a private room is desired; * Provide clothing and personal care items including CPAP/BIPAP/AVAP (mark all clothing with Veterans name); * Provide a television and cable service, if

desired (some locations DO provide, please check in advance); * Arrange for a small amount of spending money for snacks, outings or haircuts (can be securely deposited in a resident fund

account); * Make arrangements for transportation to/from non-VA medical appointments unless the VA is the payer source for that care. HOSPITALIZATION DURING CNH STAY If a Veteran is sent to

a community emergency department, we suggest the Veteran or family call 1- to have a claim entered for this ED room visit. This must be done within 72 hours of presenting to the ED.  If a

Veteran is admitted to community hospital, it is also imperative, your CNH team be notified within 72 hours of presenting to the non-VA ED so we can ensure your hospital admission is covered

and paid for under eligible VA benefits.  Veteran/family can request a transfer to the nearest VA medical center. Please speak to your admitting hospital staff about this request. The VA

contract for CNH care will close after 15 days if the Veteran has not returned to the CNH, and a new authorization may be required. Please have the hospital make inquiry to VA CNH program

coordinator. HOME VISITS DURING CNH STAY Veterans using VA-funded programs for long-term care may request up to six days/year for leave of absence, unless a therapeutic need is identified.

The nursing home house physician must be willing to write orders for any leave of absence. An absence cannot exceed 24 hours at a time unless therapeutically determined as appropriate by the

CNH team. During short-stay skilled and hospice care, leave can be approved by VA for day visits only. DISCHARGE PLANNING Short-stay skilled care provides a bridge back home or to lower

level care such as assisted living, residential care or adult foster home. During a short-stay placement, the CNH program case managers will work with the nursing facility to assess when a

Veteran is ready to discharge. The CNH team will work with the Veteran’s primary care team to arrange community services such as: in-home services (Home Health), equipment needs and

medications. This process should start early with the Veteran and family actively involved. CNH PROGRAM COORDINATOR: JENNIFER DRENNER [email protected] Phone: 360-409-3525  KAREN KAUL

[email protected] Phone: 503-314-6743 THERESA DIAMOND [email protected]  Phone: 503-545-8892 DARLA NEESE [email protected]  Phone: 503-593-9964  JANELLE BODENNER

[email protected] Phone: 360-798-8242  PROGRAM SUPPORT ASSISTANT ELLEN ROBERTSON [email protected] Phone: 360-905-1744