Long-Term Care Facilities — the Legal Basis of the Medical Component
Long-term care facilities — homes for the elderly, palliative care centres, rehabilitation institutions — include a medical component in their activity, and this component falls within the scope of the Law on Health Care. This page explains the legal basis of the medical side of long-term care services: how a medical facility and its functions — treatment, rehabilitation, palliative care — are defined, which documents the activity requires, and how the regulation of high-risk medical activity extends to such facilities.
Particular attention is given to the financial criteria: the law sets a minimum share for income from medical activity and for fixed assets, which is decisive for long-term care operators when modelling — the structure of beds, personnel and services must be planned precisely within these thresholds.
The Definition of a Medical Facility and Long-Term Care Functions
Under the law, a medical facility is a legal person of an organisational-legal form allowed by Georgian legislation carrying out medical activity in the prescribed manner. The list of functions directly covers the long-term care spectrum: determining the patient's state of health; prophylaxis and/or treatment of diseases; rehabilitation of patients; palliative care. This wording means that where a long-term care facility provides these services, it enters the legal regime of a medical facility — with all the attendant requirements.
The financial thresholds are likewise set by law: the share of income from medical activity in the facility's financial resources must be at least 75%, and at least 75% of the average annual value of the fixed assets on its balance must be earmarked for medical functions. Income from services performed remains wholly with the facility, and the remuneration fund must constitute at least 30% of the income — the last requirement matters especially for personnel working in long-term care.
Licence and Permit — When They Are Needed
In the sphere of medical activity, the document confirming the respective right — a licence and/or permit — is issued by the ministry. Carrying out activity subject to these documents under the legislation is impossible without them. Additionally, the list of health-care personnel entitled to employment and holding appropriate education is approved by the minister — who may work in the medical component of long-term care is thus determined centrally.
A long-term care operator must assess whether its specific services fall within the objects of licensing: where a facility provides only everyday care, the medical regime may not touch it; but once the determination of health status, treatment, rehabilitation or palliative care is added, the matter resolves differently — this boundary must be calculated separately for each service.