Cited Nursing Home Gets Extension

A San Diego nursing home was given an extension Thursday in its fight to retain the right to receive Medicare and Medi-Cal reimbursements, despite a federal agency’s finding that “numerous health violations” exist at the home.

The Alvarado Convalescent and Rehabilitation Hospital was given until June 5 “to resolve issues involving continued Medicare and Medi-Cal certification,” a hospital statement issued Thursday afternoon said.

The decision in early April by the federal Health Care Financing Administration to decertify the nursing home gave it until next Tuesday to transfer all Medicare and Medi-Cal patients to certified facilities, Alvarado Hospital Administrator William Stover said.

At last count, 129 patients at Alvarado Hospital receive Medicare and Medi-Cal benefits, Stover said.

The decertification decision was based on two surveys by the California Department of Health Services, which reported finding “widespread violations of federal standards.”