This regulation establishes the criteria under which placement of an individual with mental illness (MI) or intellectual/developmental disability (IDD) in a nursing facility (NF) is considered appropriate. Placement is permissible only when the individual meets minimum NF admission standards and their treatment needs can be met by NF services alone or supplemented by state-arranged specialized services. Facility operators and states must ensure that individuals requiring a higher level of care than the NF can provide are not placed there.
View official source§ 483.126 Appropriate placement. Placement of an individual with MI or IID in a NF may be considered appropriate only when the individual's needs are such that he or she meets the minimum standards for admission and the individual's needs for treatment do not exceed the level of services which can be delivered in the NF to which the individual is admitted either through NF services alone or, where necessary, through NF services supplemented by specialized services provided by or arranged for by the State.