Tools and Resources

In this latest edition of the Indiana PASRR Provider Newsletter, we've included details on the interim COVID-19 categorical emergency admission option, as well as important process reminders that can be help assist individuals to get needed services as quickly as possible. Also, check out a new PASRR Assessment Guide, geared toward family members/guardians who would like to learn more about the assessment process.

INTERIM PROCESS: Using COVID-19 Categorical

The COVID-19 categorical emergency admission option is to be used only for preadmission screens. If you are a nursing facility provider submitting a referral for a current resident, please do not use this review type option.   

REMINDERS: PathTracker & Documentation Tips

• Complete PathTracker as soon as an individual is admitted
• The State is tracking admissions to assure all individuals are receiving the care they need throughout this pandemic situation. They strongly suggest PASRR submissions within 72 hours of admission to the nursing facility (NF) to prevent processing backlogs
• For hospitals, please be mindful that if a Level II request has been made and the individual is discharged prior to completion of that assessment, the PASRR and LOC will be cancelled, and resubmission will be required by the admitting NF. Please plan to be proactive, whenever possible, to assure the PASRR process is completed prior to admission.
• Avoid commas when readying files for upload
• When uploading documentation, be sure that no files being uploaded contain commas in the file names - for example, "Last Name, First Name HP." The AssessmentPro system doesn't recognize files with commas included

RESOURCE: New PASRR Assessment Guide

A new guide to the PASRR process has been added to the Indiana PASRR Resources page. This document is geared toward informing family members or guardians who may have general questions about the PASRR process. It can also be helpful to share with new facility team members who are unfamiliar with PASRR. Click here to download.
 

Persons such as those assessed through Pre-Admission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) - individuals who are elderly or medically compromised, have been identified as being at highest risk for COVID-19 (coronavirus) infection. To best protect this vulnerable population, the State of Indiana has applied for a waiver under Section 1135 of the Social Security Act (SSA), which permits a temporary waiver or modification of certain Medicaid requirements when a President declares a disaster or emergency.

Effective Thursday, 3/26/2020 and until termination of the current emergency period:

• All PASRR pre-admission screening has been suspended.
• Nursing facility staff will complete Level I screens post-admission, within 30 day of admission for all nursing facility residents.
• Individual whose PASRR Level I indicates a possible Level II condition will be eligible for a "COVID-19 Emergency Categorical Approval."
• If a Level II is needed, MAXIMUS will work with the nursing facility to coordinate a HIPAA-compliant telephonic evaluation between the individual and a MAXIMUS evaluator using nursing facility equipment. If the nursing facility does not have equipment to conduct a telephonic evaluation, the evaluator will conduct a desk-based evaluation, and may ask for additional information to be forwarded for inclusion in the evaluation.
• Nursing Facilities are strongly encouraged to submit within 72 hours of admission and MAXIMUS will complete a Level II in 5 business days.

Please know that the safety of your residents is of utmost importance. The MAXIMUS IN PASRR program team and the State of Indiana FSSA are committed to solutions that protect the health of at-risk individuals, as well as ensure they continue to receive the proper support services and resources needed.

Consult the ISDH page linked here for updated news and guidance on COVID-19.

REVIEW: Helpful Resource from the Division on Aging

The Division of Aging recognizes the need to balance health protection and social connectivity for those within nursing facilities, especially given the recent visitation restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To help encourage nursing facilities and families to stay connected, click here to check out some general ideas for continued social connectivity.

SUPPORT: Contact the Indiana PASRR Help Desk

Have a question about this important interim process change? Reach out to your Indiana PASRR Help Desk to learn more.

Email:PASRR@fssa.in.govPhone: 833.597.2777

Indiana's Family Social Services Administration (FSSA) has been approved to enact the 1135 waiver by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. One section refers to our ability to waive the PASRR Level I and Level II assessments for 30-days. This will be a temporary change in procedure for PASRR. Below, please find some clarification on what this means for this change in process.

1135: Suspend Pre-Admission Screening and Annual Resident Review (PASRR) Level I and Level II Assessments for 30-days

• All new admissions can be treated like exempted hospital discharges.
• After 30 days, new admissions with mental illness or intellectual disability should receive a Resident Review as soon as resources become available.
• Reminder, under current law Level I and Level II screens are not required for residents who are being transferred between nursing facilities.

What does this mean for hospitals?

It means that hospitals can request to admit a patient to a nursing facility without completing a Level I, Level of Care, or Level II. Hospitals are still expected to only request admission of patients who have skilled nursing needs. 

What does this mean for nursing facilities?

It means that it is the nursing facility's responsibility to complete the Level I and LOC.

Do nursing facilities need to wait 30-days to complete these assessments?

Nursing facilities will have 30 days to initiate the Level I and LOC. However, you do not need to wait 30-days to complete the assessments. The Division of Aging encourages you to complete the Level I and LOC as quickly as possible upon resident admission. We encourage this for several reasons:

1. To more efficiently process payment of services
2. To ensure we are keeping track of where residents are in case of emergencies
3. To help you identify services for people who have a Level II condition
4. To prevent you from having a very long "to-do" list in 30-days
5. To prevent a back log of Level Is, LOCs, and Level IIs in 30-days

While we encourage you to complete upon admission, we know that this won't always be an option. The 30-days gives you flexibility in completion. However, we continue to encourage that you complete them as quickly as possible for the above reasons.

How will Level IIs be handled for the next 30 days?

You will have 30 days to complete the Level I and LOC. Once the Level I and LOC are submitted Ascend will handle the Level II within the usual 5-business days after Level I submission. 

All Level IIs will be completed via telephonic interviews and Document Based Reviews. All face-to-face assessments will be suspended during this time. Assessors will contact the nursing facility to request interviews with residents and staff. We ask that you support the completion of the Level II by responding to these requests in a timely manner whenever possible. All telephonic interview assessments and DBRs will result in a short-term decision. The timeline on that short-term decision may vary. This ensures a face-to-face can be done for a more thorough assessment in the future, without delaying a need for current services. We ask that you discuss these decisions with residents to help them understand the purpose of the initial short-term decision and to encourage them to complete the telephonic interviews. Once a Level II is initiated Ascend will have the usual 5-business days to complete.

How Are Resident Reviews being handled during this time?

As you know, we no longer require annual resident reviews. If you feel a person has had a significant change in status and requires a new Level II, you may suspend completion of that new Level II until resources become available. There is not a specific timeline on this as of today. We only ask you complete them when you have the capacity to do so. Please ensure your residents are receiving the services they need.

If the nursing facility waits to complete the Level I and Level of Care, will they be backdated to admission?

We are unable to backdate a Level I or Level II, but the Assessment Reference Date on the LOC may be backdated to the date of admission. Please ensure you are properly recording all admissions in PathTracker to prevent approval delays.

What isn't changing?

Transfers from one nursing facility to another, or to a hospital and back, will be handled the same way and do not require a new series of assessments.
 
A LOC only needs to be completed on residents who have Medicaid as a primary pay source and/or trigger a Level II assessment.

Further questions?

Please reach out to PASRR@fssa.in.gov with any further questions regarding these temporary procedures.