Resident Refund Policy

How AHCA classifies it

Florida classifies each deficiency under section 429.19, Florida Statutes: Class I (imminent danger), Class II (direct threat), Class III (indirect or potential threat) and Class IV (minor, paperwork-level). Class III is by far the most common.

Where it is cited

What the requirement says

AHCA’s requirement text as it appears on the inspection report, verbatim.

429.24 (3)(a) . . . The refund policy shall provide that the resident or responsible party is entitled to a prorated refund based on the daily rate for any unused portion of payment beyond the termination date after all charges, including the cost of damages to the residential unit resulting from circumstances other than normal use, have been paid to the licensee. For the purpose of this paragraph, the termination date shall be the date the unit is vacated by the resident and cleared of all personal belongings. If the amount of belongings does not preclude renting the unit, the facility may clear the unit and charge the resident or his or her estate for moving and storing the items at a rate equal to the actual cost to the facility, not to exceed 20 percent of the regular rate for the unit, provided that 14 days' advance written notification is given. If the resident's possessions are not claimed within 45 days after notification, the facility may dispose of them. The contract shall also specify any other conditions under which claims will be made against the refund due the resident. Except in the case of death or a discharge due to medical reasons, the refunds shall be computed in accordance with the notice of relocation requirements specified in the contract. However, a resident may not be required to provide the licensee with more than 30 days' notice of termination. If after a contract is terminated, the facility intends to make a claim against a refund due the resident, the facility shall notify the resident or responsible party in writing of the claim and shall provide said party with a reasonable time period of no less than 14 calendar days to respond. .... 429.27, FS Property and personal affairs of residents. - (7) In the event of the death of a resident, a licensee shall return all refunds, funds, and property held in trust to the resident's personal representative, if one has been appointed at the time the facility disburses such funds, and, if not, to the resident's spouse or adult next of kin named in a beneficiary designation form provided by the facility to the resident. If the resident has no spouse or adult next of kin or such person cannot be located, funds due the resident shall be placed in an interest-bearing account, and all property held in trust by the facility shall be safeguarded until such time as the funds and property are disbursed pursuant to the Florida Probate Code. Such funds shall be kept separate from the funds and property of the facility and other residents of the facility. If the funds of the deceased resident are not disbursed pursuant to the Florida Probate Code within 2 years after the resident's death, the funds shall be deposited in the Health Care Trust Fund administered by the agency.