I have questions about the Level II Evaluation
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General Questions
1. What is a Level II Evaluation?
The Level II mental illness evaluation is an in-depth psychosocial evaluation of the individual. This evaluation is currently performed face-to-face or via telehealth at the facility where the individual is located, in an interview format. The purpose of the Level II mental illness evaluation is to identify the needs of the individual, including specialty mental health services and to ensure that the individual is receiving the required treatment in the least restrictive environment.
Prior to a Level II mental illness evaluation, the DHCS Level II Contractor will contact your facility. The DHCS Level II Contractor will inquire further details about the individual's mental and physical condition. If the call warrants a Level II evaluation, the DHCS Level II Contractor will arrange a day and time to perform the Level II mental illness evaluation at your facility.
The Department of Development Services completes the Level II evaluation for individuals identified with an intellectual/developmental disability.
2. Who performs the Level II Evaluation?
A third party DHCS Contracted clinical evaluator performs the Level II mental illness evaluation for all individuals identified with an intellectual/developmental disability. Please refer to
Title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 483.106(e)(3) for further details.
3. When is a Level II Evaluation required?
A Level II mental illness evaluation is required when the individual is identified with a suspected or diagnosed mental illness on the Level I Screening.
4. How soon does a Level II Evaluation take place after I submit the Level I Screening online?
The Level II mental illness evaluation appointment will be scheduled timely to ensure that the final PASRR determination letter is available to the facility.
However, there is currently a delay in scheduling Level II Evaluations due to a backlog. We recommend to periodically check your Level I cases List for a closed date. If there is no closed date, the case is still pending with DHCS. Please continue to submit your TAR timely and leave a note in the TAR that the case is pending with DHCS. The Field Office is aware of our backlog and should be providing an extension on your TAR.
5. How long does a Level II Evaluation take?
A Level II evaluation with the Level II Contractor and the individual may take up to an hour. However, this can vary depending on availability of charts/records, amount of information and detail available in the charts/records, availability of a private place to conduct the evaluation, availability of the individual being interviewed, and the individual's level of cooperation and functioning among other unforeseen factors.
6. I received a Notice of No Need letter. Why is a Level II Evaluation not required for the individual?
The reasons a Level II evaluation may not be required include:
- No mental illness
- 30-Day Hospital Exemption
Preparing for the Level II Evaluation
1. What can the facility do to prepare for the Level II Evaluation?
You should:
- Provide a private room for the individual and DHCS Level II Contractor evaluator.
- Notify the DHCS Level II Contractor if interpreter services are needed for language or hearing.
- Have the individual's medical records available.
- Notify the individual's family members or conservator if the individual has provided consent for them to participate in the Level II evaluation.
- If the evaluation is being performed via a telehealth session, please ensure that a clinical staff member is physically with the individual during the evaluation.
2. Who will call my facility as a representative of the DHCS Level II Contractor?
An employee of the DHCS Level II Contractor will contact your facility. This Contractor is under contract with the State Department of Health Care Services as the provider of Level II Preadmission Screening and Resident Review evaluations.
3. What questions will this DHCS Level II Contractor ask during this call?
The representative will ask a number of questions about the Individual's mental and physical well-being, upcoming appointments and current room/bed number assignment. In some instances, additional detailed questions may be asked about prescribed medications, diagnoses and activity level.
4. During the phone call, who will the DHCS Level II Contractor speak with from my facility?
The representative will ask to speak to the Charge Nurse or Nursing Supervisor assigned to the station caring for the Individual. It is possible the representative may also ask to speak with a Social Services Director or other key supervisory staff or the individual to ensure the necessary information is collected during the call.
5. Why is my facility asked these questions?
The DHCS Level II Contractor asks such questions, on a case-by-case basis, for a number of reasons. First, they need to verify that the individual has not been discharged and is in fact capable of participating in the evaluation. Second, they need to clarify any questions that have arisen from information provided on the Level I Screening. Third, they may need to clarify the intensity of the individual's mental health symptoms. All this information is utilized to see if a Level II evaluation is deemed necessary.
