Page reviewed: 10/9/26

Page updated: 10/9/26

Legal authority

42 C.F.R. 483, subpart C, 483.100 – 483.138, Minn. Stat. §256B.0911 (LTCC), Minn. Stat. §256B.092 subd. 7, 8 and 8a (Rule 185 case management), Minn. Stat. §256.975, subd. 7–7c

Overview

Lead agencies and Minnesota Aging Pathways work in conjunction to complete the various preadmission screening (PAS) activities.

Federal and state laws require a PAS for all people before they enter one of the following settings, regardless of payer source, length of stay or a person’s age:

Lead agencies and Minnesota Aging Pathways process a PAS to:

Who completes the PAS

The physician or designee who signs the order for the person’s admission to the facility is responsible to fill out the PAS on the Minnesota Aging Pathways referral site. Minnesota Aging Pathways reviews the person’s information in MMIS and takes the appropriate next steps.

Minnesota Aging Pathways receives and is responsible to process all PAS submissions, unless the person is younger than age 21 or in one of the following situations at the time the PAS is submitted:

1. Enrolled in managed care on one of the following programs:

2. On one of the following programs:

If the person is on Essential Community Supports (ECS), Minnesota Aging Pathways will contact the lead agency to close ECS. Then, Minnesota Aging Pathways will enter the screening in MMIS.

If the person is on the DD Waiver and not enrolled in managed care, Minnesota Aging Pathways will enter the PAS into MMIS and send the PAS to the lead agency to complete waiver activities and the OBRA Level II evaluative report.

If the person is on one of the programs listed above, Minnesota Aging Pathways contacts the lead agency(s) and directs them to follow next steps using Attachment A – PAS for NF admission policies and procedures (PDF).

OBRA Level I screening

The OBRA Level I screening:

After Minnesota Aging Pathways contacts a lead agency, the lead agency must take a variety of next steps, including processing and/or sending an OBRA Level I screening to the admitting provider. The person must receive an OBRA Level I screening before they can be admitted to an MA-certified NF.

For more information, refer to CBSM – OBRA Level I screening and Minnesota Aging Pathways – PAS.

OBRA Level II evaluative report

Developmental disabilities and related conditions

If the OBRA Level I screening indicates the person has a diagnosis or suspected diagnosis of developmental disabilities or related conditions, they also must receive an OBRA Level II evaluative report before they can be admitted to an MA-certified NF.

The lead agency uses OBRA Level II Evaluative Report for People with Developmental Disabilities or Related Conditions, DHS-4248 (PDF) to assess if the person:

For more information, refer to CBSM – OBRA Level II evaluative report.

Mental illnesses

If the person has a mental illness or symptoms of a mental illness, refer to DHS – Preadmission screening and resident review (PASRR Level II-MI).

NF level of care

When NF level of care cannot be determined by the PAS referral, the lead agency must conduct an in-person MnCHOICES assessment to make the final determination of NF level of care:

If the person is not on a program, Minnesota Aging Pathways makes the MnCHOICES assessment referral to the county or Tribal Nation of the person’s location at the time the PAS was submitted.

If the person is enrolled in MSHO or MSC+, the managed care organization (MCO) must complete the in-person assessment to determine NF level of care before admission. For people enrolled in SNBC, the MCO must make the referral for an in-person assessment to the county or Tribal Nation where person is located.

Interfacility transfers and readmissions from an acute hospital

For information about interfacility transfers and readmissions from an acute hospital, refer to Minnesota Aging Pathways – Tip sheet for when to submit a PAS (PDF).

Out-of-state process and procedure

For information about out-of-state process and procedure, refer to Minnesota Aging Pathways – PAS.