October 23, 2013

The enclosed report updates the 2012 Review of State Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) Policies and Procedures, which was a first-of-its kind national survey of PASRR programs. The report was prepared by the PASRR Technical Assistance Center (PTAC), under contract to CMS.

The results of this review represent a snapshot of PASRR programs as of February 2013, with a primary focus on the comprehensiveness of Level II tools. The survey does not capture any aspects of program implementation or performance. Moreover, the survey evaluates how well PASRR programs reflect the requirements of the Code of the Federal Regulations (CFR 483.100-138) and a small number of good, modern clinical practices. It does not address how effectively states address their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision, or other federal or state requirements that may be relevant to the state's service system for individuals with disabilities.

We are pleased to report that most states have markedly improved the comprehensiveness of their Level II tools. State staff have worked hard since the 2012 National Report to improve the quality of the tools their programs use. As a result, the findings of the Level II evaluation are likely to be more thorough, and individuals are more likely to receive services that better meet their disability-specific needs.