IN PASRR LEVEL II - MENTAL ILLNESS (MI):
ASSESSMENT TRANSITION TO EXISTING STATE PARTNER, ASCEND
The State of Indiana will transition its PASRR Level II - Mental Illness (MI) assessments to Ascend, a MAXIMUS Company. Already an existing state partner on other assessment-related services, this planned change will take place on Monday, July 1st . The Ascend team places its highest priority on fostering open lines of communication with you throughout this upcoming transition process and beyond. You will find below some important details about the migration, including: expected benefits, process changes, planned next steps, program contacts, and an Ascend profile.

Continue to stay tuned for additional updates, support materials, and potential learning opportunities in the weeks ahead.
BENEFITS: Unifying PASRR Level II - IDD & MI Processes
 
Ascend currently contracts with Indiana Family & Social Serivces Administration (FSSA), providing PASRR Level I screening and Level II - evaluation services for persons with Intellectual/Developmental Disability (IDD) and online  Level of Care   evaluations. FSSA has recently selected Ascend to provide  PASRR Level II  evaluations for persons with Mental Illness (MI).

Bringing the end-to-end delivery of both IDD and MI assessments under one entity will foster several positive impacts for the Indiana provider community, state agencies, and most importantly, the individuals we serve together.
  • Greater process efficiencies, bolstered by more procedural consistency across each of the assessment categories
    • Level I to Level II seamless referrals across MI and IDD populations
    • Same process for Level II MI and IDD
  • In some cases, Level II - MI assessments may achieve faster turnaround times than current processes allow
PROCESS: What Changes to Expect
 
The merging of the Level II - IDD and MI assessments process will result in a few changes that you'll see from the current workflow. Some of the key differences include:
  • Existing Level II - MI Form and Inappropriate Referral Form will be retired for the Ascend gold-standard Level II Evaluation Form.
  • Level of Care (LOC) outcome will be delivered at the same time as the Level II - MI outcome, following the same process currently in place for Level II - IDD assessments.
  • Ascend contractually has 5 business days to complete the Level II referral, starting the day following receipt of the referral. In some cases this is faster than the current process and in others, slower.  
What Remains Unchanged?
Level I, Level of Care submissions, and Level II - IDD processes all remain the same. For Level II - MI, CMHCs will continue with any assessments submitted through 06/30/19. Ascend will start Level II assessments for MI beginning 07/01/19.
REGISTER:  Upcoming Transition Webinars
 
Sign up for some of the informative, one-hour sessions taking place over the next month, which will include an overview of PASRR and the transition changes ahead, as well as a demo of online assessment tool, AssessmentPro, and two insightful Q&A sessions. 
Click the links below to register:
NEXT STEPS: Bringing the Pieces Together
 
Keeping you informed will remain a vital responsibility for Ascend throughout the transition process. As more details become available in the coming weeks, we will continue to reach out with updates as we move toward the 07/01 implementation - sharing timely updates, process changes, and new support resources. 
 
We appreciate your continued partnership, feedback, and most importantly, the critical role you play in the assessment process for the thousands of individuals positively impacted by these programs each year across the State of Indiana.
PROFILE: Learn More About Ascend
Ascend, a MAXIMUS Company, is 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.