The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) through its OPTIONS Program does not complete the preadmission screening or assessment forms. The AAA is not required to provide services to an individual who is a resident of an ICF/ID. The Office of Developmental Programs (ODP) is responsible for the oversight of intellectual and developmental disability services in Pennsylvania.
There is no acuity level determination for residents of an ICF/ID. The ICF/ID will have the attending physician complete the Medical Evaluation ( MA 51 ) to establish the need for intermediate care. The ICF/ID will send the MA 51 and a Certification of Need for an ICF/ID Functional Eligibility Determination (FED) form (DP 250) to the CAO with an Application for Benefits (PA 600) form. ODP will review the MA 51 and DP 250 and certify the need for intermediate care.
At redetermination, the ICF/ID will provide the CAO with a Recertification of Need for an ICF/ID FED (DP 251) with the Benefits Review Form ( PA 600-R ).
NOTE: The FED is not required by the CAO to process LTC MA. The CAO is not to deny or delay LTC MA benefits due to not receiving a FED. The CAO is to continue to request the MA 51 to determine functional eligibility for LTC MA. Questions 21 and 22 of the MA 51 must be completed and signed by the appropriate DHS program office to certify the individual's medical need for LTC facility services.
Applicants can contact their local county Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities (MH/ID) program office with questions about functional eligibility. Link to contact information for all the MH/ID program offices can be found on this page, Eligibility Intellectual Disabilities (pa.gov).
Updated December 23, 2024, Replacing August 27, 2013