Updates to Notice of Transfer or Discharge for Medicaid Residents
On June 10, 2026, the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) announced updates to Form 15‑458, the Notice of Transfer or Discharge used by adult family homes, assisted living facilities, and enhanced services facilities. The updated form now includes a field for a resident’s ACES ID and directs providers to use a single, centralized contact for routing notices to the Department’s case managers.
Effective immediately, when you issue a transfer or discharge notice for a resident with Medicaid, you must include the resident’s ACES ID and send a copy of the notice for the Home and Community Services (HCS) or Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) case manager directly to the Data Management System (DMS) using the new fax number or mailing address. DSHS has clarified that these are the only changes to the form and that they do not apply to notices issued to non‑Medicaid residents.
Optional use of state Form 15 458
Form 15‑458 remains optional. Adult family homes may continue using their own transfer or discharge notice forms if they prefer. However, DSHS is asking all providers, whether using the state form or a facility‑created form, to:
- Send copies of transfer or discharge notices for Medicaid residents to DMS using the centralized fax number or mailing address, and
- Include the resident’s ACES ID on those notices.
According to DSHS, centralizing where notices are sent is intended to ensure the correct HCS or DDA case manager receives timely notification and can assist with the transfer or discharge process. This is especially important as resident acuity and placement needs become more complex, and as long‑term care settings are expected to coordinate closely with the State Long‑Term Care Ombuds on transfers and discharges involving Medicaid clients.
What this means for Adult Family Home providers
For AFH providers, these updates translate into a few practical steps:
- When issuing a transfer or discharge notice for a Medicaid resident:
- Add the resident’s ACES ID to the notice.
- Send a copy of the notice to DMS using the new centralized fax or mailing address.
- If you use your own form instead of Form 15‑458:
- Keep your current format if it works for you.
- Ensure you still send a copy of each Medicaid transfer or discharge notice to DMS and include the ACES ID.
- In day‑to‑day operations, you should see:
- A single, consistent destination for notices, rather than tracking multiple contacts.
Better chances that the correct case manager is notified quickly and can support discharge planning, placement coordination, and resident transitions.
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