Provider Notice Issued 03/20/2020

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Date:   March 20, 2020

To:      Long Term Care Providers - Nursing Facilities (NF), Supportive Living Program providers (SLP), and Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Facilities (SMHRF)

Re:      Temporary PASRR and DON Screening Changes during COVID-19 Pandemic

This notice informs Long Term Care (LTC) providers that revisions are being made on a temporary basis to the processes for conducting required pre-admission screenings.  The Pre-admission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) assessment, the Specialized SLP Mental Health assessment, and the Determination of Need (DON) assessment will incorporate the following process revisions:

-       Screenings can be conducted telephonically instead of in-person.

-       Post admission screenings will be allowed if conducted within 10 days of admission.

-       State screening agents should coordinate with hospital discharge planners and LTC settings to schedule a time for the screenings and assure a staff person is available to assist the individual being screened.

The State has coordinated this revised policy across all affected State agencies to assure notification is being provided to screening agents as well as affected providers.  When necessary, providers should contact their local screening agency to assure the post screenings are scheduled timely.

In addition, guidance is being provided to Department of Human Services (DHS) caseworkers to instruct them on these changes.  Providers will be able to bill back to their requested admission date if the post screen is completed within 10 days of admission.  This revised policy will apply to admission requests submitted starting March 1, 2020 and is effective until further notice is provided.

Questions regarding this notice may be directed to the Bureau of Long Term Care at

1-844-528-8444.

Kelly Cunningham

Acting Medicaid Director