Get Licensed as a Home for the Aged

Get Licensed as a Home for the Aged

Licensing is the process by which the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), Bureau of Community and Health Systems (BCHS) regulates homes for the aged. The process requires that homes for the aged licenses are in compliance with the rules for homes for the aged. Licensing Rules for Homes for the Aged

In accordance with MCL 333.20156, facilities in existence on or before February 11, 2018 and in continuous operating up to the time of application for a home for the aged can be reviewed and inspected to chapter 18, 19, 32 or 33 of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard number 101.  If you are applying for an HFA that meets this requirement and would like to be reviewed under chapters 19, 32 or 33 please complete the Home for the Aged Application – BCAL-1600.  If you do not meet this requirement or would like to be reviewed to Chapter 18, please proceed to Step I below.

(NOTE: The online Home for the Aged application is currently not available.)
Step I - The application must be completed and submitted to the Bureau of Community and Health Systems. HFA Application

Step II – You are required to submit additional information as part of your application. All items must be returned together and sent to:

Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Bureau of Community and Health Systems
P.O. Box 30664
Lansing, MI 48909-8164 

Necessary Forms and Information to Begin the Licensing Process

Licensing Record Clearance Request (BCAL-1326A) – 1978 PA 368 Sec. 21313(7) requires the applicant, authorized representative, owner, operator, or member of the governing body who has regular direct access to residents or who has on-site facility operational responsibilities to submit fingerprints for a criminal history check.

For new applicants and/or new construction or remodeling, the building(s) intended for use as a licensed home for the aged must first be approved for use by both the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs’ Health Facility Engineering Section and the Bureau of Fire Services. Upon acceptance of your complete license application, two copies of the Request for Plan Review (BCAL-1605) and Application for Fire Safety Plan Examination (BFS-979) will be mailed to you. It is your responsibility to submit the Request for Plan Review with your plans for review and approval by these two agencies.

Note: Plans for new construction and remodeling will also need to be submitted and approved by local building authorities. Additional information is available at Michigan Building Code Construction.

You must be licensed to admit residents. The receipt of an approval to occupy from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Community and Health Systems, Health Facilities Engineering Section and the Bureau of Fire Services does not allow you to admit residents until you have received a license from the Department. Once the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Community and Health Systems has received your permit to occupy from the Bureau of Community and Health Systems, Health Facilities Engineering Section, a licensing staff person will contact you regarding review of your policies and procedures and other documents required by rule and statute, and to arrange for an on-site inspection.

Change of Information - As required by Rule 325.1913(2), the applicant or authorized representative is required to give written notice to the Department within 5 business days of any changes to the information as submitted in the application subsequent to issuance of a regular, provisional, or temporary permit.

Other Required Documents And Information To Be Made Available For Review And Approval By Licensing Staff Before License Issuance Can Be Recommended

A. Qualifications of the Administrator [Rule 325.1921(2)(a)(b)(c)]

Evidence of education, training and experience related to the population served.

B. Rights and Responsibilities of a Resident [MCL 333.20201 and MCL 333.20202]

A written policy describing the rights and responsibilities of a resident which must be publicly posted in the facility.

C. Program Statement [MCL 333.20178, Rule 325.1922 and Rule 325.1901(15)]

D. Statement of Services & Charges & Fees [MCL 333.20201(3)(f), Rule 325.1901(19) and Rule 325.1925(3)(b)]

E. Resident Admission Policy [Rule 325.1901(3) and Rule 325.1922(2)]

F. Discharge Policy [MCL 333.20201(3)(e) and Rule 325.1922(1)(11-16)]

G. Resident Admission Contract [Rule 325.1901(19) and Rule 325.1922(3)]

H. Smoking Policy [MCL 333.21333; 333.12601(1)(i)(a)(q) and 333.12603(1)(2)]

I. Disaster Plan [Rule 325.1981(1)]

The facility shall have a written plan and procedure(s) to be followed in case of fire, explosion, loss of heat, loss of power, loss of water or other emergency. The disaster plan must be available to all employees. Personnel shall be trained to perform assigned tasks.

J. Management Agreement [Rule 325.1911(3)(b)] – if applicable

Any management agreement or contract between the applicant and other person or company related to the operation of the facility.

Other Required Documents Which Must Be Provided to Licensing Staff Before License Issuance Can Be Recommended

K. Surety Bond for Patient Trust Funds Held by a Home for the Aged [MCL 333.21321]

A security bond issued to the Director of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs in an amount equal to not less than 1-1/4 times the average amount of funds the applicant is likely to hold during the first year of operation or the average balance of resident funds held during the prior year.

The surety bond must be issued by a company authorized by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. To locate an authorized surety company, go to http://www.michigan.gov/difs/news-and-outreach/faq/insurance/surety and follow the instructions. The original surety bond must be transmitted to your licensing staff prior to issuance of a license.

OR

K. Letter of Attestation

A written attestation that the facility will not hold resident funds and/or refundable deposits.