The Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services (CARES) program is Florida's federally mandated nursing home pre-admission screening program. A registered nurse or assessor performs face-to-face client assessments and a physician or registered nurse reviews each application to determine the medical level of care for the applicant. Through the assessments, CARES staff

• identifies a client's long-term care needs;
• determines the level of care required to meet those needs; and
• makes it possible for individuals to remain safely in their homes using home and community-based services or in alternative community settings such as assisted living facilities.

Federal law requires a CARES assessment for all individuals who request Medicaid reimbursement for nursing facility placement or home and community services. A nursing home applicant assessment provides an evaluation of the medical necessity for nursing facility care, the level of care required by the individual, and a pre-admission screening to determine serious mental illness or intellectual disabilities. Florida residents seeking Medicaid assistance for nursing facilities or community-based long-term care services must meet both medical and financial eligibility requirements. Financial eligibility is determined by the Florida Department of Children and Families or the Social Security Administration (SSA).

To conduct a medical eligibility determination, a registered nurse and/or assessor identifies the physical and mental capacity, health care needs, and social support systems using a comprehensive assessment instrument. 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. For more information on this program, please see the Department of Elder Affairs Summary of Programs and Services.

During Fiscal Year 2020-21, CARES program staff and local agencies conducted 112,871 assessments.

During Fiscal Year 2020-21, CARES program staff took an average of 10 days to determine medical eligibility.

Websites of Interest
Agency for Health Care Administration
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
The National Care Planning Council
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information

Performance

Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

Section 409.912(15), Florida Statutes.

Department of Elder Affairs, Bureau of Comprehensive Assessment and Review for Long-Term Care Services, 850-414-2000 Elder Helpline, 1-800-963-5337 or 1-800-955-8771 for TDD or 1-800-955-8770 for voice or contact a local CARES office  

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