(a) If a patient of an intermediate care facility is transferred to a general acute care hospital as defined in Section 1250(a) of the Health and Safety Code, the intermediate care facility shall afford the patient a bed hold of seven (7) days, which may be exercised by the patient or the patient's representative.

(b) Upon admission of the patient to the intermediate care facility and upon transfer of the patient of an intermediate care facility to a general acute care hospital, the intermediate care facility shall inform the patient, or the patient's representative, in writing of the right to exercise this bed hold provision. No later than June 1, 1985, every intermediate care facility shall inform each current patient or patient's representative in writing of the right to exercise the bed hold provision. Each notice shall include information that a non-Medi-Cal eligible patient will be liable for the cost of the bed hold days, and that insurance may or may not cover such costs.

(c) A licensee who fails to meet these requirements shall offer to the patient the next available bed appropriate for the patient's needs. This requirement shall be in addition to any other remedies provided by law.