Pre-Admission Review
Pre-Admission Review (PAR) Screening consists of two separate pre-admission screening processes that are required prior to an individual entering a Medicaid certified nursing facility, PASRR (PAS) and Level of Care (LOC).
The PAS component of the federal PASRR (Pre-Admission Screening and Resident Review) process requires all applicants to Medicaid-certified facilities, regardless of source of payment or diagnosis, to be screened for serious mental illness (SMI) and Mental Retardation and/or Developmental Disabilities (MR/DD). The legislation was designed to ensure that individuals with indications of mental illness and/or MR/DD receive long-term services and treatment in the most appropriate care setting.
The Level of Care process is the State of Ohio’s screening process for individuals seeking Medicaid reimbursement for their stay in a Medicaid-certified nursing facility. Medicaid will only pay for an individual’s care in a nursing facility if he or she meet the level of care criteria for intermediate level of care or skilled level of care. This determined level of care is communicated by our staff to the County Department of Job and Family Services so Medicaid vendor payment can be initiated.
PAR Screeners conduct paper reviews of PAS/ID screens (PAS) and assessment information (LOC) submitted from hospitals and nursing facilities in order to determine whether the individual meets the requirements to enter a nursing facility.
How to Submit a Request
To submit a paper review for a PAS-ID and/or Level of Care, fax the appropriate documentation to the PAR Unit. The fax number is 330.896.6646 and the fax machine is available to receive requests 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Requests for Change of Payer levels of care may be mailed to the agency, if preferred.
Staff is available to process requests Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There are extended coverage hours available for weekends and holidays. The fax number is 419-222-8262. Weekend extended coverage is available from 5 p.m. each Friday until 12 Midnight on Saturday. Extended coverage varies for holidays. We will also send hospitals and nursing facilities a fax or e-mail with holiday extended coverage information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is a PAS Identification Screen required?
A: The PAS/ID is required when an individual is entering a Medicaid certified nursing facility from a community hospital setting. If the individual is in a hospital setting and entered the hospital directly from a nursing facility and has a valid PAS/ID, then a new PAS/ID is not necessary.
If the individual is admitted to the hospital and the physician has certified that the nursing facility placement is for a Convalescent stay then a PAS/ID is not necessary. The individual’s method of payment has no bearing on the requirement for a PAS/ID.
Q: When should a Level of Care be requested?
A: A Level of Care (LOC) should be requested through PAR when Medicaid vendor payment is needed for placement of a hospitalized individual into a Medicaid certified nursing facility or when the resident is changing payer source to Medicaid.
Q: How long is a PAS/ID valid?
A: The PAS/ID is valid as long as the individual remains in a nursing facility or hospital setting. If the individual returns to the community from the nursing facility, the PAS/ID becomes invalid.
Q: When will my request be processed?
A: Paper requests received from hospitals and nursing facilities for new admissions will be completed by the end of the next working day if they are complete and correct. Requests for a change of payer to Medicaid are completed within five calendar days if they are complete and correct.
Q: Where are the Review Results sent?
A: The Review Results are returned to the submitter via fax therefore an accurate fax number is required on your request.
