LOOKING FOR ASSISTANCE

Pre-Admission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) is a federally mandated program under the federal Omnibus Reconciliation Act (Public Law 100-203) & 42 CFR 483.100-38. The program requires individuals applying for admission to or residing in a Medicaid Certified Nursing Facility be screened for mental illness, intellectual disability or related conditions which affect intellectual functioning, regardless of payment source. Federal law prohibits payment for Nursing Facility services until the PASRR screening has been completed. The mandate applies to all individuals prior to admission to a Medicaid–certified long-term care nursing facility, regardless of payer.

Goals

To evaluate all individuals prior to admission to a Medicaid Certified Nursing Facility (NF) for evidence of Mental Illness (MI), Intellectual Disability (ID) and Related Condition (RC).

To ensure that individuals with Mental Illness (MI), Intellectual Disability (ID), or Related Condition (RC) are evaluated for placement in the least restrictive environment.

To identify their disability specific needs and make recommendations for Specialized Services (SS) when needed.

Level I – Screening

A preliminary screening to identify individuals who may have Mental Illness (MI), Intellectual Disability (ID), and/or Related Condition (RC).

The nursing facility is responsible for ensuring a Level I screen is completed for everyone prior to admission.

The hospital discharge planner is responsible for submitting a Level I screen to the nursing facility and a positive (trigger) Level I screen to PASRR. Level I screens that do not trigger are not submitted to PASRR, however, must be provided to the nursing facility.

NOTE: Effective January 1, 2026, the revised New Mexico PASRR Level I Identification screen, dated August 30, 2024 must be used. NM PASRR will not accept Level I identification screen dated prior to 8/30/24.

Learn More

• PASRR Level 1 Identification Screen Form

Note: Submit all Level 1 forms and medical documentation to the PASRR Fax Number

Level II – In-depth Evaluation

An in-depth evaluation to determine if an individual who “triggers” at Level I, in fact has Mental Illness (MI), Intellectual Disability (ID) and/or Related Condition (RC) for the purposes of PASRR.

Level II assessment are required when the individual is being admitted to a nursing facility for long term placement, which may occur prior to admission or after a convalescent waiver is due to expire.