PASRR Screening
A federally required screening to make sure nursing home residents with mental illness or developmental disabilities get the right care.
Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) is a federal Medicaid requirement that helps ensure people with serious mental illness or intellectual or developmental disabilities are placed and served correctly in Medicaid-certified nursing facilities. Every applicant for a Medicaid-certified nursing facility — regardless of whether Medicaid pays — must go through a Level I screening. If Level I flags possible serious mental illness or intellectual or developmental disability, a Level II evaluation determines whether nursing facility care is appropriate and whether the person also needs specialized services for their condition. PASRR aims to prevent inappropriate placement in nursing homes and to make sure residents who are placed there get specialized mental health or developmental disability services in addition to nursing facility services. Hospital discharge planners, nursing facilities, and state PASRR offices handle the screenings. Failures to comply can lead to denied admissions and recoupments.
In real life
- A hospital discharge planner completes a PASRR Level I before placing an elderly patient in a nursing facility.
- A Level II evaluation confirms a resident with schizophrenia needs specialized mental health services in addition to nursing care.
- A state PASRR office finds a less restrictive community setting is more appropriate.
Also known as
Frequently asked questions about PASRR Screening
Who needs PASRR?+
Anyone applying to a Medicaid-certified nursing facility, regardless of whether Medicaid pays.
What is Level I vs Level II?+
Level I is a brief screen to flag possible serious mental illness or developmental disability. Level II is a full evaluation.
What does PASRR ensure?+
Appropriate placement and specialized services for residents with mental illness or developmental disabilities.
Where do I learn more?+
Your state PASRR office or medicaid.gov long-term services pages.
Source: medicaid.gov