Sponsor: Social Services
Title
title
Policy Discussion: Delicense Beds at Ramsey County Care Center
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Recommendation
recommendation
None. For information and discussion only.
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Background
background
The Ramsey County Care Center (RCCC) is a 164-bed licensed facility that provides both long-term and transitional care for seniors. The average census at RCCC was 139 in 2018, 137 in 2019, and has decreased during the pandemic to fewer than 120 residents.
RCCC has not fully utilized nor budgeted for all its licensed bed capacity for many years and Social Services is now considering delicensing unused beds. Minnesota State Department of Human Services places a surcharge on each licensed bed in operation at nursing homes; thus the County is paying a surcharge on bed capacity that has not used for many years. The proposed action would permanently delicense 38 beds, 16 of which have been on layaway status, which would bring licensed capacity down to 142 beds to better reflect the need and use of beds at RCCC.
Delicensing beds would allow RCCC to create single-bed rooms which meet customer preference, improve care outcomes, and result in financial benefit because nursing facilities that create single-bed rooms as a result of bed closures receive an increase in the external fixed payment rate. RCCC currently has 4 single-bed rooms and 80 double-bed rooms. The proposed action would result in 30 single-bed rooms and 56 double-bed rooms.
It is anticipated that this item will return to the County Board on the November 3 board agenda for action.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☐ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The RCCC population of residents reflects the racial demographics of the county. Disproportionality in the use of our nursing home and rehabilitation services is not reflected in the RCCC daily census. Further, rehabilitation efforts in particular are set for everyone to return to the community, and the return to community rates are similar for all populations served by RCCC. There is nothing in this proposal that will negatively impact communities that generally experience disparities in other Ramsey County services as the bed capacity that has been used will not be diminished.
Community Participation Level and Impact
One of the most important communities engaged in services at RCCC is the families and loved ones of those that are cared for at the facility. Family members have been involved in many of the decisions for the future of the facility and will be informed of this change as well.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
It is anticipated that this action will decrease annual costs by $62,000 and result in an increased revenue rate (as a result of bed closure) from the Department of Human Services of $108,000. The total net fiscal impact is an estimated at $170,000 annually. The new rate and cost reduction will be effective January 1, 2021 and will decrease the need for levy use in the future.
County Manager Comments
The request to the Minnesota Department of Health to delicense beds at RCCC requires County Board approval. This request to delicense beds will not interfere with the County’s ability to serve the people of Ramsey County who need nursing home or transition care services. This request recognizes the reality of current use and budgeted capacity for RCCC and does not limit the County’s ability to make other changes to RCCC in the future.
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
1.None.