OhioMHAS Transitions to Ascend as New Vendor for PASRR Assessments Next Monday, 07/01
The Ohio Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS) will transition its Pre-Admission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) Level II - Serious Mental Illness (SMI) assessments to be provided by Ascend, a MAXIMUS Company beginning next Monday, July 1st. 
The Ascend team looks forward to building relationships with the state's provider community to ensure individuals receive the services and supports they need. As part of that goal, sharing helpful resources and fostering open lines of communication with facilities like yours will always remain a priority. You will find some important updates below on the minor process changes you can expect post-transition, details on next steps, and more about Ascend.
WHAT'S CHANGING? Contacts & Assessor Network
 
Once next Monday's PASRR Level II - SMI assessments transition to Ascend is in place, Ohio facilities can expect minimal changes from the current referral process. These include:


①
Faxing Referrals
If you need to submit a referral via fax, these will need to be sent using a new fax number which will be provided in upcoming communications coming on 06/30 and the morning of 07/01.
②
Support Resources
When you have inquiries about a specific referral or general PASRR process questions, you will have new phone and email contacts to reach out to Ascend's Ohio PASRR Level II - SMI HelpDesk. The new contacts will be provided in communications coming ahead of the transition date.
③
New Assessors
The other notable change will be the assessors coming to your facility for onsite visits. After July 1st, a network of qualified independently contracted assessors working with the Ascend team will schedule and conduct evaluations, whenever a Level II is deemed the appropriate next step.
WHAT'S REMAINS THE SAME? HENS Process

HENS will accept applications after the Monday, 07/01 transition date. Providers are encouraged to continue using this established process and submit their applications through the HENS system moving forward.
NEXT STEPS: Moving Toward July 1st Go-Live

What should you expect in the process ahead of the transition? You will receive additional communications on Sunday, 06/30, and Monday morning, 07/01, with more details on the following:
  • HelpDesk Phone and Email
  • Number for faxing referrals
  • Link to Ohio PASRR Tools and Resources page
PROFILE: More About Ascend
Ascend, a MAXIMUS Company, formerly Ascend Management Innovations, comes to its new PASRR Level II - SMI assessments role with previous experience as Ohio's first centralized PASRR partner, from 2009 - 2015. The company has been nationally recognized for its work with states across the country to manage complex programs and ensure that individuals receive the appropriate care and supports necessary to improve their quality of life.

Enduring commitment to process innovation and service excellence has led the company to a role as the industry's leading provider of high-quality, conflict free assessment services for persons with intellectual, behavioral health, and developmental disabilities, as well as older adults and individuals with physical disabilities and complex medical conditions.