Rights of residents in Nursing Homes – Wis. Admin. Code DHS §132-31

Each resident in a nursing home facility has the right to be informed of all services and their charges upon admission.  The patient or patient’s representative must sign a written authorization acknowledging that the following information has been given before admission is granted:

• Description of the basic services provided with the charges of those services;
• Information on all extra services provided that are not included in the basic services;
• The method of notifying patients of changes in fees;
• Refunds for advance payment in the event of transfer, death or discharge;
• Terms of holding or charging for a bed;
• Conditions of involuntary transfer or discharge;
• Information about the storage of personal items;
• A summary of residents’ rights protected by the law.

Residents also have the right to be free from discriminatory treatment based on the payment method.  This means that the nursing home facility cannot assign different living areas based on the source or amount of the payment.  All individuals must be offered the same basic services regardless of the source or amount of payment.  Extra services must be provided to all residents who is willing and able to pay for them regardless of the source of payment.  A nursing facility cannot use an identification card for residents that discloses the source of payment. 

Nursing home facility staff are required to verbally explain all the rights above to new residents.  Any amendments to the rights of residents must be provided in writing to all residents.  Any resident may file a complaint orally or in writing.