Dear Laguna Honda Patients and Families,
Yesterday, you received a notice that Laguna Honda is implementing a Closure and Patient Transfer and Relocation Plan (Plan). This Plan is required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which administers the Medicare and Medicaid Provider Participation Program that funds most of our patient care here at Laguna Honda. Although we were required by law to send notice to patients under our care at Laguna Honda, I want to reiterate; Laguna Honda remains open and licensed.
I realize this has been an upsetting and confusing time and to be clear, our highest priority is to recertify Laguna Honda in the Medicare and Medicaid Participation Program and keep the hospital open to Medicare and Medicaid patients. We have been working nonstop on the rectification process, and every resource from the Department of Public Health continues to be dedicated to ensuring we are successful.
In order for Laguna Honda to continue receiving federal funds to care for patients while the hospital seeks recertification, we are required by CMS to implement this Plan and send the notification you received yesterday. At the same time, we are diligently working toward recertification.
This means that even while we seek recertification, CMS is requiring that in the coming weeks we begin assessments of all Laguna Honda patients. Based on these assessments, patients will start being transferred to appropriate levels of care at other facilities. We will do our best to bring patients back to Laguna Honda once we achieve recertification.
We will continue to keep our community updated throughout the recertification process, and our teams will be available throughout the hospital to answer questions.
I want to reiterate that I understand this information may be confusing or upsetting. I want to assure you that your Resident Care Teams are here to support you and that we are dedicated to your care, health and wellbeing.
Everything we are doing is to keep Laguna Honda open and to continue providing care for you. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Sincerely,
Michael T. Phillips, MHA, FACHE
