04/14/2020
Policy Memo
Summary:
Due to the health and safety precautions implemented to prevent spreading the COVID-19 virus to vulnerable populations, screeners will not be able to complete the pre-admission screenings timely and guidelines have been temporarily updated.
Changes Include:
Screenings for level of care can now occur after admissions into the facility, as an allowable post-screen, without affecting the admission begin date, if done within 10 days of admission.
MEDI admission transactions received on or after 03/01/2020 can have a screening date that is 10 days after the requested admission date and still be considered timely. The requested admission date would be the admit begin date.
Screenings for level of care can now occur after admissions into the facility, as an allowable post-screen, without affecting the admission begin date, if done within 10 days of admission.
MEDI admission transactions received on or after 03/01/2020 can have a screening date that is 10 days after the requested admission date and still be considered timely. The requested admission date would be the admit begin date.
- Screenings for level of care can now occur after admissions into the facility, as an allowable post-screen, without affecting the admission begin date, if done within 10 days of admission.
- MEDI admission transactions received on or after 03/01/2020 can have a screening date that is 10 days after the requested admission date and still be considered timely. The requested admission date would be the admit begin date.
- Example: Admit request date is 03/09/2020. The screening was completed on 03/19/2020. Since the screening was completed within 10 days after the admission date, it is still considered timely therefore the admit begin date is 03/09/2020.
- If the screening completion date is more than 10 days after the admission request date, then the screening date is the admission begin date. The screening is considered untimely.
- Example: Admit request date is 03/09/2020. The screening was completed on 03/25/2020. Since the screening was completed more than 10 days after admission to the facility, it is considered untimely therefore the admit begin date is the screening date of 03/25/2020.
- Screenings can be done telephonically.
NOTE: All other admission guidelines still apply.
[signed copy on file]
Grace B. Hou
Secretary, Illinois Department of Human Services
Theresa Eagleson
Director, Healthcare and Family Services
