6. a. A resident shall receive, upon request, a fee schedule for any uncovered service before agreeing to the performance of that service.

b. Each resident shall have the right to receive a copy of the facility’s annual disclosure statement, including certified financial statements, once they have been filed with the department.

c. A resident who is experiencing financial difficulties may thoroughly investigate with the facility any financial assistance which may be available to allow the resident to remain at the facility. The facility shall provide sustaining charitable assistance, unless the facility can demonstrate that:

(1) providing this assistance would adversely affect the financial health of the facility;

(2) the resident has violated the terms of the continuing care agreement or providing this assistance would violate the terms of the continuing care agreement; or

(3) providing this assistance would cause the facility to violate a covenant in a loan agreement.

d. A resident may remain in a facility despite financial difficulty until the facility demonstrates to the department that the entrance fee the resident paid, if applicable, has been fully earned by the facility, using the formula set forth under the department regulations for rescission and removal, pursuant to N.J.A.C.5:19-6.5(f). A resident shall not be permitted to remain at the facility if the financial difficulty is due to the resident’s misrepresentation to the facility about the extent of the resident’s assets or income or if the resident gives away significant assets while residing at the facility.

e. Each resident shall be informed of Medicare and Medicaid program benefits and shall receive assistance in accessing these benefits to the extent that they are available at the facility.

L.2013, c.167, s.6.