LAC 48:I.10091. Provider Participation and Responsibilities

A. An LLCF with a license that is in good standing with the department may apply to the department to utilize MACs. Upon receipt of a facility’s application, the department shall review the facility’s compliance history. B. If a facility is non-compliant with program regulations, the department shall take into consideration the findings that resulted in the facility’s noncompliance before making a determination whether or not to allow the facility to utilize MACs. Emphasis shall be placed on deficiencies cited in the area of medication administration such as significant medication errors, medication error rates and repeat deficiencies of such. C. The department may deny a facility’s request to use MACs if it is determined that, based upon the compliance history, the safety and well-being of residents would be jeopardized. If the facility is denied participation, the facility may ask for a reconsideration and review of the circumstances which contributed to the denial of the application. 1. knowingly making false claims, or providing false, forged, or altered information or documentation to the department, law enforcement, or authorized agencies shall permanently render revocation of the LLCF’s participation in the MAC program. D. The following application information shall be submitted to the HSS for consideration of approval of MAC utilization: 1. the number of beds for the entire LLCF and beds per unit; 2. the total resident capacity for the LLCF; 3. the type of LLCF; 4. policy and procedure describing the plan for orientation, utilization of MACs, tracking and trending of medication errors for MACs, including orientation of all staff to the role of MACs; 5. documentation of the number and type of medication errors in the year prior to the utilization of MACs; and 6. a statement that the LLCF will utilize the MACs in accordance with the department’s rules and regulations and will provide evaluation information as indicated. E. An approved licensed long-term care facility shall have written policies and procedures that at a minimum, address the MAC’s role, responsibilities, authorized duties, prohibited duties, and medication errors. F. A facility’s application that is not complete within 90 calendar days of receipt by the department shall be considered null and void. G. The provider shall complete and send the appropriate form or approved electronic submission to the registry to verify the MAC’s employment or cessation of employment. H. When a change of ownership (CHOW) occurs, the new owner or the administrator, or the administrator’s designee, shall be responsible for ensuring that all reporting of the MAC’s employment or cessation of employment to the registry is current. I. Disqualification of MAC Program. The department may sanction a facility and/or revoke a facility’s participation in the MAC program for a period of two years, if it is determined by the department that: 1. Based upon the facility’s compliance history, the safety and well-being of residents were jeopardized by the facility’s non-compliance with federal, state, or local laws and regulations. 2. The facility has provided false statements and/or documentation concerning the facility’s MAC program. 3. The facility has not provided an acceptable plan for correcting deficiencies. J. If the facility’s participation has been revoked, the facility may ask for a reconsideration and review of the circumstances that contributed to the revocation of participation in the MAC program. K. If the facility has not utilized a MAC within its facility and/or served as a MAC clinical site within a two year period, the facility’s MAC program shall be considered voluntarily terminated. L. A licensed long-term care facility who has lost its MAC program may re-apply to participate in the MAC program upon the end of the two year period of the prohibition timeframe. If the facility’s participation in the MAC program has been revoked for providing false statements or documentation, the facility may not reapply for reinstatement.