This section provides definitions for key terms—Discharge, Individual, Resident, and Transfer—used in the regulatory subparts governing skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and nursing facilities (NFs) under Medicare and Medicaid. These definitions clarify the legal responsibility framework when residents move between institutional and non-institutional settings. This regulation applies to SNF/NF settings, which are not behavioral health, IDD, ABA, or foster care facilities.
View official source§ 483.202 Definitions. For purposes of this subpart and subparts B and C— Discharge means movement from an entity that participates in Medicare as a skilled nursing facility, a Medicare certified distinct part, an entity that participates in Medicaid as a nursing facility, or a Medicaid certified distinct part to a noninstitutional setting when the discharging facility ceases to be legally responsible for the care of the resident. Individual means an individual or any legal representative of the individual. Resident means a resident of a SNF or NF or any legal representative of the resident. Transfer means movement from an entity that participates in Medicare as a skilled nursing facility, a Medicare certified distinct part, an entity that participates in Medicaid as a nursing facility or a Medicaid certified distinct part to another institutional setting when the legal responsibility for the care of the resident changes from the transferring facility to the receiving facility.