Less than one month remains in the catch-up period to conduct LTSS Screenings for any individual residing in a nursing facility without one.

• Nursing facilities (NFs) have until September 8 to review records for all current residents to ensure that individuals who needed to be screened prior to admission were fully screened and determined functionally eligible (and have the documentation thereof)
• Facilities will face non-payment if screenings are not complete.

What’s happening: A June 10 Medicaid Bulletin established a 90-day catch-up period for nursing facilities to conduct LTSS Screenings.

• During the COVID-19 public health emergency some individuals were admitted to NFs directly from a hospital without a LTSS screening per allowance by Governors’ Executive Orders (E.O. 58, 84, and 16).
• DMAS has provided a 90-day window that runs through September 8 for conducting LTSS Screenings for any individual residing in a nursing facility without a LTSS Screening.
• No remedy will exist after September 8, 2022 if a NF admits a patient who was required to have been screened prior to admission without that screening having been completed.

Your FAQs answered:

• Do individuals admitted during the waiver period need to be screened? YES
• Is a screening needed for an individual admitted to the facility at any time with a valid exemption reason as specified on the DMAS-80? NO

Action for facilities:

• Review records for all current residents to ensure that individuals who needed to be screened prior to admission were fully screened and determined functionally eligible (and have the documentation thereof).
• Touch base with your hospital referral partners to make sure you have open lines of communication about needed screenings for patients being transferred from acute to post-acute care.

Need more info? Review these articles:

• June 10 Medicaid Bulletins on LTSS Screening
• LTSS Screening Catch Up Process Tips and Lunch & Learns