The Behavioral Health Administration delegates the Pre-Admission Screening and Resident review (PASRR) determinations for individuals with Mental Illness to its Administrative Services Organization, Carelon Behavioral Health:
Contacts
Carelon PASRR Contact Information for PASRR Determinations for Individuals with Mental Illness:
Carelon Behavioral Health of Maryland
maryland.carelonbh.com/provider
Utilization Manager Clinician PASRR
7550 Teague Road Suite 500
Hanover, Maryland 21076
(227) 268-4589
For Local Health Departments:
To notify Carelon of a PASRR Level II assessment that is ready for their review:
- Send an UNENCRYPTED email to [email protected].
- Include the LTSS ID for the individual.
- Do not attach documents to the email or include any personal identifying information in the body of the email.
- The PASRR documents should be uploaded as client attachments in LTSSMaryland.
- This will help expedite the review and determination process.
Behavioral Health Administration contacts:
For general questions related to PASRR determinations for individuals with mental illness:
Learn more about the PASRR process for nursing facility admission for individuals with mental illness and get answers to frequently asked questions:
Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) is a federal requirement to help ensure that individuals are not inappropriately placed in nursing homes for long term care. This program screens people being admitted to a nursing facility for a history of mental illness and identifies the most appropriate and least restrictive services that will meet their needs.
The required evaluations are conducted by Adult Evaluation and Review Services (AERS) professionals from the local health departments and determinations are made by Optum Maryland under the direction of the Office of Older Adults and Long Term Services and Supports within the Behavioral Health Administration.
In summary, PASRR requires that Medicaid-certified nursing facilities:
- Evaluate all applicants for serious mental illness (SMI) and/or intellectual disability (ID) or related condition (RC)
- Offer all applicants the most appropriate setting for their needs (in the community, a nursing facility, or acute care setting)
- Provide all applicants the services they need in those settings
Maryland PASRR Tools and Information
The PASRR Level 1 screen is now automated through Telligen's Qualitrac system.
PASRR & Continued Stay Review training materials can be found on Telligen's website:Questions:
Maryland Transmittals related to PASRR
- October 27, 2025: Transmittal 307 for Nursing Facility Administrators, Psychiatric Facility Administrators, Supports Planning Agencies, and the Developmental Disabilities Administration. Describes the new PASRR level 1 process for individuals referred to nursing facilities from the community. PT 31-26
- August 9, 2024: Transmittal 296 for Nursing Facility Administrators and Hospital Administrators. Announces the Automated PASRR Level 1 process. PT 30-25
- November 18, 2018: Transmittal No. 271 for Nursing Facility Administrators. Describes behavioral health services available to nursing facility residents, including specialized services under PASRR and details Level II requirements for admission to nursing facilities. PT 9-19
- March 1, 2012: Transmittal No. 239 for Nursing Facility Administrators. Updates and clarifies resident review requirements applicable to nursing facilities. PT 19-12
- 1997 or earlier (exact date unknown): COMAR 10.09.10 Maryland- Licensed Nursing Facilities. Codifies the requirement for nursing facilities to be in compliance with federal PASRR requirements as described by 42 CFR Part 483, Subpart C (1996)
- September 18, 1997: Transmittal No. 159 for Nursing Facility Administrators and Hospital Administrators. Describes the change in federal PASRR regulations enacted in 1996 and details PASRR requirements. PT 9-98
- January 27, 1987: COMAR 10.09.30 for Local Health Departments. Describes the requirements for the Statewide Evaluation and Planning Services (STEPS) assessment completed by the LHD, which was later selected by MDH as the tool for the PASRR Level II Evaluation
Additional Older Adult Resources
Access organizations and resources that inform and support adults and older adults with mental health and substance use disorders:
Recognizing behavioral health concerns in older adults
What are symptoms of mental health disorders in older adults?
- Noticeable changes in mood, energy level, or appetite
- Feeling flat or having trouble feeling positive emotions
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Difficulty concentrating, feeling restless, or on edge
- Increased worry or feeling stressed
- Anger, irritability, or aggressiveness
- Ongoing headaches, digestive issues, or pain
- Misuse of alcohol or drugs
- Sadness or hopelessness
- Thoughts of death or suicide or suicide attempts
- Engaging in high-risk activities
- Obsessive thinking or compulsive behavior
- Thoughts or behaviors that interfere with work, family, or social life
- Engaging in thinking or behavior that is concerning to others
- Seeing, hearing, and feeling things that other people do not see, hear, or feel
Mental health disorders can be treated: A primary care provider is a good place to start if you're looking for help. They can refer you to a qualified mental health professional, such as a psychologist, psychiatrist, or clinical social worker, who can help you figure out next steps.
What do you need to know about substance misuse and older adults?
- Symptoms of substance misuse can seem similar to symptoms of other conditions common in older adults, including depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, chronic pain, and sleep problems.
- Older adults have unique risk factors that increase their vulnerability to substance misuse. Bodily changes (e.g., slower metabolism, reduced muscle mass, altered body fat percentages and organ functions) make older adults more sensitive to the effects of alcohol and drugs.
- Older adults are more likely to unintentionally misuse medicines by forgetting to take their medicine, taking it too often, or taking the wrong amount.
- Some older adults may take substances to cope with big life changes such as retirement, grief and loss, declining health, or a change in living situation.
- Those battling substance abuse may experience difficulty with sleeping, significant changes in their appetite, and even heart problems.
- Long-term addiction can lead to cancer, lung disease, liver disease, and problems with mental health. Organs often begin to shut down after prolonged exposure to drugs and alcohol.
- While use of illicit drugs in older adults is much lower than among other adults, it is currently increasing.
- Most admissions to substance use treatment centers in this age group are for alcohol.
- Many behavioral therapies and medications have been successful in treating substance use disorders, although medications are underutilized.
- It is never too late to quit using substances — quitting can improve quality of life and future health.
Older Adult Regional Specialists and Resource NavigationGet help from regional specialists to find providers, access services, or seek training and resources for supporting individuals with behavioral health conditions.
|
Region |
Contact Person/ Agency |
Eastern
Worcester, Wicomico, Somerset, Dorchester, Talbot, Caroline, Queen Anne’s, Kent |
Mid-Shore Behavioral Health, Inc.
Shannon Joyce, MPH, CHES 410-770-4801, ext. 311
|
Western
Garrett, Allegany, Washington, Frederick |
Washington County Mental Health Authority
Steve Groves 301-739-2490 ext. 111 |
Central
Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Cecil, Harford, Baltimore, Carroll, and Howard
|
Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency
Heather Hughes, LMSW 410-980-8315 (cell) [email protected]g Mia Riggsby, LMSW
410-897-7042
Chris Yelen, LCSW-C 410-409-3800
|
Southern
Calvert, Charles, and Saint Mary’s. |
St. Mary's County Health Department Behavioral Health Division
Rachele Huot, MPH, EMT-P 301-997-8715
|
Baltimore City |
Behavioral Health Systems Baltimore
Rachell Chmielewski
|
Montgomery County |
Montgomery County Health and Human Services
Josi Makon, LCSW-C 240-777-4529 |
Project Coordinator
Behavioral Health Administration |
Stefani O’Dea, MA
Director, Office of Older Adults and Long Term Services and Supports, 410-402-8300 [email protected] |
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