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LTC State Licensing Survey Waiver

LTC State Licensing Survey Waiver

Overview of Long-Term-Care State Licensing Survey Waiver

Public Acts 59 and 104 of 2015 require that the department, through the Long-Term-Care State Licensing Section (LTCSLS), make at least one (1) visit to each licensed nursing home and home for the aged every three (3) years for survey and evaluation purposes of licensure. The department may waive this required visit if the licensed provider requests a waiver and submits evidence that the facility is fully accredited from an acceptable accrediting body. Then, in lieu of performing an unannounced onsite state licensing survey, the department will perform a desk review of documentation submitted through the waiver request. The licensed provider will a written determination of the decision by LTCSLS on a survey waiver request.

 

Acceptable Accrediting Organizations by Licensed Provider Type

Pursuant to MCL 333.20155(8)(a), the following is a list of approved accrediting organizations whose documentation may be submitted for waiver purposes.

 

Nursing Homes

  • A finding of substantial compliance or an accepted plan of correction, if applicable, on the most recent standard federal certification survey.

 

Homes for the Aged (HFA)

  • An accrediting organization has not yet been determined. 
 

 

Eligible Licensed Providers

Each year the department will publish a state licensing survey schedule list on October 1 for the next calendar year.  If a licensed provider is scheduled for survey for the next calendar year, the provider may submit a waiver request on or before December 1 prior to the scheduled next calendar year.  The department will not accept a waiver request from a licensed provider not listed on the survey schedule list below. 

Nursing Homes – October 2024
 *Survey Waiver Requests due by close of business on Friday, December 13, 2024.

 

Survey Waiver Request Instructions

If a licensed provider is eligible to request a waiver based on the survey schedule list above, submit an email request to LARA-BCHS-LTCSLS@michigan.gov with the following information:

  • Email subject line should be "State Licensing Survey Waiver Request".
  • Each survey waiver request email must be specific to a single facility.
  • In the body of the email, include:
    • Licensed provider facility name and the address for licensed site as identified on the survey schedule list above.
    • License Number / Facility Number, as identified on the survey schedule list above.
    • Contact information for an individual that can provide more documents to supplement the survey waiver request, if necessary.
  • For nursing homes, provide the date of the most recent standard federal survey. 
  • Include the following statement within the body of the email submitted: "It is hereby certified that all information submitted in this waiver request is true and understand that any falsification, omission, or exclusion of information can result in non-acceptance or rejection of the waiver request." 

Requests for a waiver from a state licensing survey will receive a determination by email on or before January 1 of the survey year.

 

 

General Guidance for Waiver Approval

Acceptance of a survey waiver request and review remains at the discretion of the department and may be denied for reasons including, but not limited to:

  • Submission of an accreditation report that does not meet the timeframe specified in code and/or demonstrates the licensed provider is not in "good standing" with the accrediting organization.
  • That the most recent standard federal survey for a nursing home demonstrates non-compliance and the nursing home does not have a department-approved plan of correction.
  • There is indication of substantial non-compliance with licensure standards or deficiencies that represent a threat to public safety or patient care.  The department may review and consider recent history of complaints, status of current license (e.g., temporary vs. permanent), as well as other inspection reports available to the department for consideration.

    Pursuant to MCL 333.20155(10), the denial of a waiver request is not subject to appeal.
 

 

Contact Information

Michigan Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs
Bureau of Community and Health Systems
611 W. Ottawa Street
PO Box 30664
Lansing, MI 48909

Long-Term Care State Licensing Section
Phone:  877-458-2757
Email:  lara-bchs-ltcsls@michigan.gov