(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Nursing facility" has the same meaning as in section 5165.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Deficiency" and "survey" have the same meanings as in section 5165.60 of the Revised Code.

(3) "Title XIX" and "Title XVIII" have the same meanings as in section 5165.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) The department of health is hereby designated the state agency responsible for establishing and maintaining health standards and serving as the state survey agency for the purposes of Title XVIII and Title XIX . The department shall carry out these functions in accordance with the regulations, guidelines, and procedures issued under Title XVIII and Title XIX by the United States secretary of health and human services and with sections 5165.60 to 5165.89 of the Revised Code. The director of health shall enter into agreements with regard to these functions with the department of medicaid and the United States department of health and human services. The director may also enter into agreements with the department of medicaid under which the department of health is designated to perform functions under sections 5165.60 to 5165.89 of the Revised Code.

The director, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, shall adopt rules necessary to implement the survey and certification requirements for skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities established by the United States secretary of health and human services under Title XVIII and Title XIX and the survey requirements established under sections 5165.60 to 5165.89 of the Revised Code. The rules shall include an informal process by which a facility may obtain up to two reviews of any deficiencies that have been cited on a statement of deficiencies made by the department of health under 42 C.F.R. Part 488 and cause the facility to be in noncompliance as defined in 42 C.F.R. 488.301. The first review shall be conducted by an employee of the department who did not participate in and was not otherwise involved in any way with the survey. A facility that is not satisfied with the results of a first review may receive a second review on payment of a fee to the department. The amount of the fee shall be specified in rules adopted under this section. The fee shall be deposited into the state treasury to the credit of the general operations fund created in section 3701.83 of the Revised Code for use in the implementation of this section. The second review shall be conducted by either of the following as selected by the facility: a hearing officer employed by the department or a hearing officer included on a list the department shall provide the facility. A final determination that any deficiency citation is unjustified shall be reflected clearly in all records relating to the survey.

The director need not adopt as rules any of the regulations, guidelines, or procedures issued under Title XVIII and Title XIX by the United States secretary of health and human services.

Amended by 130th General Assembly File No. 25, HB 59, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2013.

Amended by 129th General AssemblyFile No.28, HB 153, §101.01, eff. 9/29/2011.

Effective Date: 07-01-2000 .