Due to the rising COVID cases in Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living facilities, Home and Community Services (HCS) is temporarily stopping in-person visits and resuming telephonic CARE assessments for Medicaid residents in these setting types effective September 13th. HCS will continue to work with Adult Family Home and Enhanced Service Facility providers on a case-by-case basis, evaluating the most appropriate response between in-person and telephonic visits based on provider/client needs.

Telephonic assessing in all long-term care settings was a temporary practice by HCS, in response to COVID beginning in the spring of 2020 through July 12, 2021. Earlier this summer Washington saw a decline in COVID cases and COVID related impacts in long-term care facilities creating an opportunity for HCS to return to seeing clients and providers in person. Unfortunately, we are now experiencing another COVID wave which has increased requests for remote assessments, particularly in skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities.

HCS staff will contact you as part of the assessment process to ensure accuracy in assessing and care planning. If you have electronic medical records, please continue to provide HCS staff access to the records upon notification that an assessment has started.

Thank you for your continued commitment to resident health and safety. If you have any questions, please contact your local HCS Regional Administrator.