Nursing Facility Assessments

In order to receive payment toward the cost of nursing facility care, a person must be both medically in need of care provided by a nursing care facility and financially eligible for medical assistance and payment toward the cost of care. The Department of Aging completes an assessment to determine if the individual needs nursing facility care. If the assessment determines that the person is medically eligible for nursing facility care, the county assistance office will determine if the client is financially eligible for payment toward the cost of care.

Three forms must be completed and submitted. Complete and submit the medical evaluation and the preadmission screening resident review to:
Department of Aging
601 Westtown Rd
West Chester, PA 19380

Complete and submit the pre-admission screening resident review to:
County Assistance Office
100 James Buchanan Dr.
Thorndale, PA 19372

Medical Evaluation (MA51)

• Print the form
• Must be completed by the patient's physician
• Asks about physical health, current medications, and doctor recommendations
• Must be signed by consumer or representative in section 10
• Return to the Department of Aging

Preadmission Screening Resident Review (PASRR)

• Print the form
• Must be completed by the patient's physician
• Asks about mental health as well as physical health
• Return to the Department of Aging

Medical Assistance Financial Eligibility Application (PA600L)

• Print the form
• Completed by family or person who knows financial information
• Eleven page form with blue border
• Return to the County Assistance Office

The Process

• Assessment - After the MA51 and PASRR are received by the Department of Aging, they will be processed and our office will make contact to set up an assessment time.At the time of the assessment, many questions will be asked to get a clear picture of the person’s health and their level of medical need.
• After the Assessment - he Department of Aging will complete the assessment, which includes reviews by a registered nurse and a supervisor. The paperwork will be processed to the County Assistance Office stating whether the person is or is not medically eligible for a nursing facility. After the County Assistance Office receives the medical eligibility determination, they will complete the financial screening and send a letter to the person’s home stating if they are eligible. All questions about the letter received from the county assistance should be directed to the caseworker listed on the letter.