Pre-admission Review

State and federal law requires that any individual considering nursing home and other types of care services complete a Pre-admission Review. Skilled staff from the Area Agencies on Aging inform consumers of their choices in long-term care service settings. Whenever appropriate, the reviewer will educate the consumer about long-term care options such as home and community-based services and assisted living. The Pre-admission Review helps prevent unnecessary or inappropriate institutionalization and promotes lower-cost home and alternatives.

The review can be initiated by the consumer (or his or her family), hospital staff, nursing facility staff and others. The review makes three basic determinations:

Does the individual need services for mental Health, mental retardation or developmental disabilities.
What level of care does the individual require and what types of facilities can provide it.
Could the individual receive the services he or she need through alternatives to nursing home care. If this is the case, an in-person assessment will likely be scheduled.

It is also during this process that individuals seeking Medicaid payment for their nursing home stay will complete a Medicaid application and submit it to their County Department of Job and Family Services.

For more information about the Pre-admission Review process, talk with placement staff at a nursing facility or contact your Area Agency on Aging.