With the recent announcement from the White House regarding the official end of the Public Health Emergency on May 11, 2023, the waiver that allowed nursing homes to admit new residents who have not received PASRR Level I screenings and Level II evaluations will terminate on May 11, 2023.
That date is beyond the 60 notice that CMS has previously said would be given to allow states to unwind any COVID related changes to their PASRR program. As such, CMS will expect states to resume the completion of PASRR activities prior to admission as of May 12, 2023.
The PASRR process requires that all applicants admitting to Medicaid-certified nursing facilities be screened for possible serious mental disorders or intellectual disabilities and related conditions. This initial pre-screening is referred to as PASRR Level I, and is completed prior to admission to a nursing facility. A negative Level I screen permits admission to proceed and ends the PASRR process unless a possible serious mental disorder or intellectual disability arises later. A positive Level 1 screen necessitates an in-depth evaluation of the individual by the state-designated authority, known as PASRR Level II, which must be conducted prior to admission to a nursing facility.
Long-term care facilities, hospitals, and other referral agencies should educate admission and discharge planners to this requirement- as it is a return to pre-COVID activities that they may be unfamiliar with.