Comprehensive Assessment and Review
for Long-Term Care Services (CARES)
Comprehensive Assessment and Review for
Long-Term Care Services (CARES) is Florida’s
federally mandated pre-admission screening
program for nursing home applicants. A registered
nurse and/or assessor performs client
assessments. A physician or registered nurse
reviews each application to determine the level
of care that is most appropriate for the applicant.
The assessment identifies long-term care needs,
establishes the appropriate level of care (medical
eligibility for nursing facility care) and recommends
the least restrictive, most appropriate
placement. The program emphasizes approaches
that make it possible for individuals to remain
in their homes through home-based services,
or in alternative community placements such
as assisted living facilities.
Federal law mandates that the CARES program
perform an assessment or review of each individual
who requests Medicaid reimbursement
for nursing facility placement or who seeks one
of several waivers, including but not limited
to the Project AIDS Care (PAC), the Aged and
Disabled Adult (ADA) or the Assisted Living
for the Frail Elderly (ALE) waivers. A CARES
assessment is also mandatory if a private-pay
applicant is suspected of having mental retardation
or mental illness. Any person or family
member can initiate a CARES assessment by
applying for the Medicaid Institutional Care
Program (ICP). A private-pay assessment may
be requested if a family wants to know whether
their loved one meets the level of care for a
nursing facility or other placement. These assessments
are completed as a free service.
Services or Activities
- Medical eligibility for the Medicaid Institutional Care Program (ICP)
- Medical eligibility for several Medicaid waivers that provide community services
- Medical assessment for all mentally ill clients for ICP
- Medical assessment for all developmentally disabled clients for ICP
- Medical assessment for residents in nursing facilities entering court-ordered receivership
- Medical utilization review of Medicaid nursing home residents for continuing eligibility
Administration
The Department of Elder Affairs is responsible for the federal program through an interagency agreement with the Agency for Health Care Administration. Nineteen CARES field offices are located throughout the state. CARES personnel include registered nurses and assessors, administrative support staff, office supervisors, and regional program supervisors. Physicians are used as consultants as part of the staffing process. CARES management structure also includes central office staff responsible for program and policy development.Return to Top