DIAL supports health facilities in Iowa with licensing, certifications, surveys (inspections), and more. DIAL currently maintains a health facilities database via a separate website where you can search survey reports for specific healthcare facilities.
Note that for the best user experience, DIAL recommends using the application in Chrome, Edge, or Safari browsers.
Health facilities subject to DIAL’s oversight will interact with the department in a variety of ways. Surveyors from DIAL conduct routine, unannounced on-site survey visits to assess the quality of care and services provided to clients. If any problems are discovered, DIAL will work with the facility to ensure compliance with State and federal rules; department staff may also issue disciplinary action, if merited.
DIAL staff also investigate complaints received regarding improper care or treatment of patients or clients in licensed health facilities. If specific complaints or concerns are received, DIAL staff may complete on-site inspections in addition to routine compliance inspections.
Health Facilities
The following types of health facilities fall under the oversight and regulation of DIAL.
Adult day services are organized programs that provide a variety of health-related care, social services, and other related support services for 16 hours or less in a 24-hour period on a regularly-scheduled, contractual basis, for two or more persons who have a functional impairment. Adult day service programs are defined in Iowa Code Chapter 231D.
Ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) are distinct facilities that provide surgical services to patients who do not need to be hospitalized, and in which the expected stay would not exceed 24 hours following admission. ASCs are required to be in compliance with the federal requirements set forth in the Medicare Conditions for Coverage (CfC) in order to receive Medicare and Medicaid payment. Ambulatory surgical centers are defined in Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Governor Reynolds signed Senate File 75 into law on March 28, 2023. This new law passed by the Iowa legislature outlines state licensure requirements for ASCs. Administrative rules are in the process of being developed.
Assisted living programs (ALPs) provide room and board in a homelike environment, as well as services that may include, but are not limited to: health-related care, personal care, and assistance with essential daily living activities. Tenants in ALPs are encouraged to participate in decision-making. Assisted living programs are defined in Iowa Code Chapter 231C.
Facilities for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are those that provide dialysis services directly to patients, provide outpatient maintenance dialysis services or home dialysis training and support services, or both. Dialysis is a procedure to remove waste products and excess fluid from the blood when the kidneys stop working properly. The ESRD facility may provide dialysis services through its own staff and employees or through individuals who are under direct contract to provide these services personally for the facility. End-stage renal disease facilities are defined in Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). There are no state licensure rules for ESRD facilities.
An elder group home (EGH) is a single-family residence operated by a person who provides room, board, and personal care to three to five older adults who are not related to the person operating the residence. Elder group homes are defined in Iowa Code Chapter 231B.
Home health agencies (HHAs) provide skilled nursing services for patients in their homes, and at least one of the following other therapeutic services: physical, speech, or occupational therapy; or medical or social services of a home health aide. These services must follow a written plan of treatment established by each patient’s attending physician, in conjunction with agency staff. Home health agencies are defined in Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
OASIS Training
Medicare and Medicaid use OASIS data sets as an important piece in assessments for adult home care patients and to help measure patient outcomes. If you work in the home health care field in any capacity, this training would be beneficial. Learn More & Register for Training.
Hospices provide an alternative way to care for terminally-ill individuals, stressing palliative care (medical relief of pain), as opposed to curative or restorative care. Hospice care is not limited to medical care, but also addresses all physical, psychological, and spiritual needs of the patient, as well as the emotional needs of the patient’s family. The emphasis of hospice programs is in keeping the patient at home with his or her family and friends as much as possible. Hospices are defined in Iowa Code Chapter 135J and Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Hospitals may be accredited by two different organizations: The Joint Commission or the American Osteopathic Association, both of which meet all Medicare conditions of participation (CoP), except the required provision of active treatment in psychiatric hospitals. Non-accredited hospitals are surveyed by DIAL to determine compliance with Medicare CoP.
Critical Access Hospitals
A critical access hospital (CAH) certified in the Medicare program and licensed as a CAH must be located in a rural area, designated by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services as a necessary provider, have an agreement with a network hospital, operate with 25 beds or fewer, and maintain an average length of stay of 96 hours or less. Critical access hospitals are defined in Iowa Code Chapter 135B and Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Long-Term Care Hospitals
A long-term care hospital (LTCH) is certified as an acute-care hospital, and provides acute care for patients who stay for more than 25 days, on average. Many patients in long-term care hospitals have transferred from an intensive care or critical care unit. Long-term care hospitals specialize in treating patients with more than one serious condition who, with time and care, may improve and return home. Long-term care hospitals are defined in Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Psychiatric Hospitals
A psychiatric hospital primarily provides services surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of mentally-ill persons by a doctor of medicine or osteopathy (M.D or D.O). Psychiatric hospitals are defined in Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Rehabilitation Hospitals
Rehabilitation hospitals, or “inpatient rehabilitation facilities,” provide psychiatric and/or rehabilitation services explicitly excluded, or not paid for, under the Medicare prospective payment system. Rehabilitation hospitals are defined in Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Swing-Bed Hospitals
A swing-bed hospital is a critical access hospital (CAH), participating in Medicare that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved to provide post-hospital skilled nursing facility care and meets certain requirements. The definition of a swing-bed hospital can be found in Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Intermediate care facilities for individuals with an intellectual disability (ICF/IID) provide health or rehabilitation services for persons with an intellectual disability. Intermediate care facilities for the intellectually-disabled are defined in Iowa Code Chapter 135C and Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Intermediate care facilities for persons with mental illness (ICF/PMI) provide room and board and nursing care for those who primarily have a mental illness. Intermediate care facilities for persons with mental illness are defined in Iowa Code Chapter 135C and Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Commonly referred to as “nursing homes” or long-term care (LTC) facilities, nursing facilities and skilled nursing facilities provide health-related care and services, including rehabilitation, for persons who require nursing care (for a physical or mental condition) and other services, in addition to room and board. Nursing homes are defined in Iowa Code Chapter 135C and Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Residential care facilities (RCFs) provide accommodation, board, personal assistance, and other essential daily living activities. Persons living in a residential care facility are unable to sufficiently or properly care for themselves because of illness, disease, or physical or mental infirmity, but do not require the services of a registered or licensed practical nurse – except for emergencies. There are specific RCFs for those who have intellectual disabilities, those who are mentally ill, and those who require care for dementia. Residential care facilities are defined in Iowa Code Chapter 135C.
Whether you work at a healthcare facility or would like to learn about the survey (inspection) history of a health facility for yourself or a loved one, the department keeps a public record of facility surveys. You will be able to review the nature of the survey, number of regulatory violations for the survey (if any), any licensure actions taken, as well as read copies of the reports filed after the visit.
To access health facility reports, visit the health facilities online database . You will be able to search by health facility name, type, or location to find recent reports. You can also export the list as a .csv or PDF file.
Note that for the best user experience, DIAL recommends using the application in Chrome, Edge, or Safari browsers.
Approved Third-Party Vendors for Background Checks
Per Senate File 2299 signed on June 1, 2020, the department is required to post a listing of third-party vendors for background checks of potential health facility staff that have been vetted, approved, and provided to the department by statewide associations of hospitals, health care facilities, programs and providers. Providers may select a vendor from this list to conduct the comprehensive preliminary background checks for provisional employment of employees or provisional participation by students.
