Medicaid program; conditions for intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded--HCFA. Final rule.

This rule revises teh format, location and content of the standards for intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded and persons with related conditions (ICFs/MR). (The standards are those requirements that ICFs/MR must meet in order to participate in the Medicaid program). The new format will be that of "conditions of participation" and will make the regulations for ICFs/MR consistent with the organization of the Medicare and Medicaid regulations for skilled nursing facilities. The new location will be under a new Part 483, "Conditions of participation for long term care facilities". Revisions to the content of the regulations are designed in increase the focus on the provision of active treatment services for clients. Clarify Federal requirements, and maintain essential client protections. The major outcome of these regulations will be to align Federal standards with contemporary care practices for residential care services for persons with mental retardation or other developmental disabilities. We also are making several technical changes and cross-references to achieve consistency with other existing regulations.