How are CCRCs Regulated?

Continuing Care Retirement Communities are regulated at the state level. There are thirty-eight states that regulate CCRCs through various state divisions such as the Department of Insurance, Financial Services, Aging or Elder Services. The remaining twelve states and the District of Columbia currently have no regulatory structure in place. There are two states—Alaska and Wyoming—that do not have any CCRCs.

Regulation of Continuing Care Retirement Communities focuses mostly on the financial standing of a community. It applies to the entire operation, including independent living, and should not be confused with health care-related regulations. On-site health care facilities within a CCRC will be regulated separately by the appropriate licensing body of the state. Additionally, health care facilities that wish to receive Medicare and/or Medicaid reimbursements must be certified in accordance with federal and state guidelines for those programs. But these agencies do not regulate the operations and financial management of the entire community.

For those states which regulate CCRCs, the degree of oversight can vary drastically from one state to another, with some providing only minimal oversight. If the community you are considering is located in a state that regulates CCRCs, consider reaching out to the appropriate regulatory agency and ask about the financial requirements and oversight process for CCRCs, as well as any record of bankruptcy of CCRCs located within the state. Keep in mind, however, that just because a CCRC is located in a state that is not regulated does not mean that it is not well-managed or financially viable.