OBRA Level II Evaluative Report Submissions Returning to Pre-COVID-19 Timelines

Posted on August 11, 2021 by Jonathan Lips

In January 2021, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) temporarily waived the requirement during the peacetime emergency for lead agencies to complete OBRA Level II evaluations before a person’s nursing facility admission.

This temporarily allowed lead agencies to complete OBRA Level II evaluative reports within nine days of the preadmission screening, regardless of when the person entered the nursing facility. The modification was designed in part to expedite hospital discharges, if needed, during potential COVID surges.

DHS has recently announced that lead agencies must return to the original practice of completing the OBRA Level II evaluative report before the person enters the nursing facility effective Aug. 31.

You can read the full announcement about OBRA II timelines from DHS Aging and Adult Services, Behavioral Health and Disability Services divisions for more information and submit questions to dsd.obra@state.mn.us.