Why the Admission Agreement Matters
The Admission Agreement is the legal contract between your RCFE and each resident. It defines the financial terms, services provided, resident rights, and conditions for discharge. A deficient admission agreement is a citable CDSS deficiency and can expose your facility to civil liability.
CCR Title 22, §87507 specifies the required elements of the admission agreement. This regulation is detailed and prescriptive - CDSS inspectors check whether each element is present, not just whether a contract exists.
Required Elements Under CCR §87507
The admission agreement must include all of the following:
Facility Information
- Legal name of the facility and license number
- Physical address
- Administrator name and contact information
Services and Rates
- The monthly basic rate and what services it includes
- A specific list of additional services available and their charges
- Procedures for changing rates (advance notice requirements)
Important: You cannot charge a resident for any service or item not disclosed in the admission agreement or a signed written amendment. Charging for unlisted services is a citable deficiency.
Admission Date and Room Assignment
The agreement must include the resident's move-in date and their room or bed assignment.
Resident Rights
A summary of resident rights under California law must be provided to residents at admission and reflected in or attached to the agreement. Rights include the right to dignity, privacy, freedom from abuse, participation in care planning, and the right to file a complaint.
Discharge Conditions
The agreement must specify the grounds for involuntary discharge and the required notice periods. Under California law, most involuntary discharges require 30 days written notice. Emergency discharges (immediate health or safety threat) may have shorter timelines but have strict documentation requirements.
Refund Policy
The agreement must specify what pre-paid fees will be refunded upon voluntary departure, involuntary discharge, or death. SSI/SSP residents are subject to specific state rules regarding maximum deposits and refund timelines.
Bed Hold Policy
If the facility holds a resident's bed during hospitalization, the agreement must specify the daily bed hold rate, the maximum duration, and the conditions for automatic bed release. The bed hold rate must be disclosed upfront.
When Must the Agreement Be Signed?
The admission agreement must be signed at or before the time of admission. CDSS does not permit retroactive agreements. The resident (or their legal representative, if the resident lacks capacity) must sign and receive a copy of the signed agreement.
What Happens When Rates Change?
If you raise rates or change the included services, you must provide written notice to the resident (typically 30 days in advance) and obtain a signed amendment to the agreement. You cannot simply begin charging the new rate without a signed amendment.
Common Deficiencies Found by CDSS
CDSS inspectors routinely cite admission agreements for:
- Missing the required 30-day involuntary discharge notice language
- No refund policy or an inadequate one
- Services listed as "included" that are actually charged separately
- Agreement signed after the resident moved in
- Resident did not receive a copy
- Rate change made without a signed amendment
A Compliant, Ready-to-Use Agreement
Regnexify’s RCFE Admission Agreement ($109) includes all required CCR §87507 elements, including the rate and service schedule, resident rights, discharge conditions, refund policy, and bed hold provisions. Delivered in editable Word format for your customization.