Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia
Department 350 - DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
Chapter 350-3 - SANCTIONS FOR NURSING FACILITIES
Rule 350-3-.08 - Administrative Review

(1) Should the facility wish to contest imposition of a remedy, other than a Plan of Correction and except as provided in Sections .03(e) and .05(c), a written request for Administrative Review must be received by the Department within ten (10) days of the facility's receipt of notice of imposition of the remedy. The request shall state specifically each remedy disputed and, for each disputed remedy, the specific basis of the dispute. For imposition of civil monetary penalties, it shall not be a valid basis for dispute that a deficiency no longer exists. The timely filing of a request shall stay imposition of the remedy pending the Administrative Review decision, except where the Department has determined there is immediate jeopardy to the health or safety of the residents in a facility, in which case the Department may impose the remedies described in Subsections .02(b),(g)or(h), as determined appropriate by the Department. If the facility fails to file a timely request, the decision to impose a remedy or remedies shall become final and no further administrative or judicial review or hearing shall be available.

(2) The reviewing official shall be a Department employee appointed by the Commissioner and shall have authority only to affirm the decision, to revoke the decision, to affirm part and to revoke part, to order an immediate survey of the facility, to change the classification of the civil monetary penalty (for example, from A to B), or to request additional information from the State Survey Agency, the facility, or both, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, or the family or resident council of the facility. Additional information that is requested must be supplied within ten (10) business days from the date of notice to the party of whom it is requested. Reviewing official shall be without authority to compromise the dollar amount of any civil monetary penalty within a deficiency class.

(3) The Department shall issue a written decision within ten (10) business days of its receipt of the request for Administrative Review. The Review shall be made solely on the basis of the State Survey Agency recommendation, the survey report, the statement of deficiencies, any documentation the facility submits to the Department at the time of its Request, and information received as a result of a request made by the reviewing official. For the purposes of such Review, a hearing shall not be held and oral testimony shall not be taken. Correction of a deficiency or deficiencies shall not be a basis for favorable reconsideration of imposition of civil monetary penalties.