Open Admissions Policy Statement

In compliance with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act and Title VI of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, the following is the standing policy of Cedarbrook, as reflected in Cedarbrook Admission, Transfer and Discharge Policies and Procedures.

"It is the policy of Cedarbrook to admit and treat all residents without regard to race, color, age, sex, national origin, religious creed, or physical handicap. The same requirements for admission are applied to all, and residents are assigned within Cedarbrook without regard to race, color, age, sex, national origin, religious creed, or physical handicap. There is no distinction in eligibility for, or in the manner of providing, any resident service provided by or through Cedarbrook. All facilities of this institution are available without distinction to all residents and visitors, regardless of race, color, age, sex, national origin, religious creed, or physical handicap. All persons and organizations that have occasion either to refer patients for admission or other services are advised to do so without regard to the patient's race, color, age, sex, national origin, religious creed, or physical handicap.""

Residency:

Cedarbrook Nursing Home serves the needs of Lehigh County residents. Persons from outside Lehigh County will be considered on a case by case basis if their primary caretaker is a Lehigh County resident. Priority will be given to county residents.

If a Lehigh County resident relocates outside the County due to requiring nursing home care/supervision or care from family members, County residency has not been forfeited.

State and Federal Regulations

Cedarbrook Nursing Home must comply with all Federal and State Regulations, as well as meet the requirements of the Long-Term Care Assessment and Management Program. An Options II Assessment is completed by the Lehigh County Area Agency on Aging to determine if the applicant is in need of nursing facility services. This assessment meets the requirement of State and Federal Regulations. Questions concerning the Options II Assessment can be directed to the Lehigh County Area Agency on Aging.

Option II Services

Approved applicants who are residing in the community while awaiting admission to Cedarbrook may qualify for Options II Services. Options II is designed to provide intensive in-home services. Questions concerning the Options II Services can be directed to the Lehigh County Area Agency on Aging.

Medical Service

Twenty-four-hour nursing care is provided to all residents who are assessed through the Options Level II Program and who are determined to need the most appropriate and least restrictive level of care in a Long-Term Care Facility, to preserve the individuals' welfare and safety. The following is a definition of skilled nursing services provided:

"Skilled nursing services are those services furnished pursuant to physician orders, provided directly by, or requiring the supervision of, skilled nursing personnel (e.g., RN, LPN), which the patient needs and receives on a daily basis, and which as a practical matter can only be provided in a skilled nursing facility on an in-patient basis."

Financial

1. Liquid Assets:
   Assets include bank accounts, money market funds, credit union funds, stocks, bonds, certificates of deposit, investments, life insurance with cash value, revocable trusts, IRA's, etc. Priority for admission will be based upon overall need.
2. Medical Assistance:
   An applicant who is unable to afford the cost of nursing home care, may apply for Medical Assistance. Eligibility for Medical Assistance is determined by the Department of Public Welfare through the local County Assistance Office (CAO).
3. Cedarbrook Nursing Home reserves the right to question any financial information provided by an applicant, and to request additional financial information prior to or after admission if necessary. If the applicant is admitted under false pretenses, or fails to meet the eligibility requirements set forth by Medical Assistance, Cedarbrook may discharge the resident. Cedarbrook reserves the right to discharge the resident for nonpayment of services according to nursing home licensure regulations.

Other:

1. Intra-Facility Transfers:
   Intra-facility transfers (Cedarbrook-Allentown to Cedarbrook-Fountain Hill; Cedarbrook-Fountain Hill to Cedarbrook-Allentown) will be considered on a case by case basis if the preferred facility was not available at time of admission.
2. Waiting List:
   Cedarbrook does not admit on a first-come-first-served basis. Where the number of applicants who qualify for admission exceeds the number of available beds, Cedarbrook retains the right to select those individuals who will be admitted based upon enumerated priorities, such as medical need, financial need, and social need, or Cedarbrook's ability or capacity to care or treat said individual.