Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the application process?
A: The first step is to contact the Lewis County Clinical Resource Management office by calling (315) 376-5205. At this time the social worker will discuss the specific needs of the applicant. The course of the application process depends on whether the applicant is applying from the community (i.e., home, assisted living facility) or from a hospital.
Q: How do I obtain an application?
A: Download an application click here. If you are unable to download an application or if you need assistance completing the forms, please call the Clinical Resource office at (315) 376-5205. Applications may be returned in person, by mail, or faxed to (315) 376-5153. Prior to admission a Patient Review Instrument (PRI) will need to be completed.
Q: What is a PRI and how do I obtain one?
A: PRI is an acronym that stands for Patient Review Instrument. This is a standardized health assessment required by New York State prior to an applicant being admitted to a skilled nursing facility. The PRI must be completed by a qualified health care provider trained to perform the assessment.
If applying from a HOSPITAL, the PRI will be completed by the hospital. If applying from HOME, you must contact a local nursing agency to complete the PRI. Your doctor will need to provide the nursing agency with an order.
Applicants living in Lewis County should call:
Lewis County Public Health at (315) 376-5453
Q: Can I arrange for a tour of the Lewis County Residential Health Care Facility?
A: To set up a tour, call the Social Work office at (315) 376-5496 and we will be happy to answer your questions and provide a tour.
Q: What happens after the Clinical Resource Management office receives the PRI and application?
A: After the PRI and the application are received, the Lewis County Residential Health Care Facility Admissions Team will review the applicant's medical needs, insurances, and financial resources.
The Medical Review process is performed by a registered nurse who evaluates and determines the applicant's care needs and activities of daily living (ADLs) to ensure that the health care professionals at the Lewis County Residential Health Care Facility can meet those needs. Standardized medical assessments are either forwarded to the Lewis County Residential Health Care Facility by a hospital or physician. For some complex cases, an on-site interview and record review are necessary.
The Financial Review process is completed by the Lewis County Residential Health Care Facility Business Office, which evaluates the type of insurances and payor source available. The evaluation process may also include a face-to-face or telephone interview with the applicant and-or designated representative.
Q: What are activities of daily living (ADLs)?
A: Activities of daily living are:
Bathing-washing oneself by sponge bath or in either a tub or shower, including the task of getting in or out of the tub or shower.
Dressing-the ability to put on and take off all items of clothing and any necessary braces, fasteners, or artificial limbs.
Eating-the ability to feed oneself by getting food into your body from a receptacle (such as plate, cup, or table) or by feeding tube or intravenously.
Transferring-the ability to move into or out of a bed, chair, or wheelchair.
Toileting-the ability to go to and from the toilet, get on and off the toilet, and perform associated personal hygiene.
Continence-the ability to maintain control of bowel or bladder functions; or when unable to maintain control of bowel or bladder function, the ability to perform associated personal hygiene (including caring for catheter or colostomy bag).
Q: How long after I am accepted for admission to the Lewis County Residential Health Care Facility will I be able to move in?
A: The Lewis County Residential Health Care Facility has 3 levels of care (Dementia Care, Long-Term Care, and Short-Term Rehab). After the medical and financial reviews have been completed, the applicant will be offered the next available appropriate bed. For example, the applicant may need a bed in our long-term care area, but the bed available is in our secure Dementia unit.
Q: How do I pay for my care at the Lewis County Residential Health Care Facility?
A: Applicants coming to the Lewis County Residential Health Care Facility must have an approved payment source. Medicare and private insurance may cover a post-hospital stay following a qualifying hospital stay. However, this coverage is limited and is not a long-term care payment option. Long-term care payment options are private pay resources, long-term care insurance, and Medicaid.
If an applicant does not have active Medicaid prior to admission to the Lewis County Residential Health Care Facility, the Business Office will review the applicant's financial resources to determine eligibility to apply for Medicaid at the time of admission or if the applicant needs to use private pay resources before being eligible to apply for Medicaid. The Patient Accounts Supervisor will assist with the Medicaid application process.
Q: Will my primary care physician continue to take care of me at the Lewis County Residential Health Care Facility?
A: At the time of admission, the new patient will be assigned to their primary care physician if he/she has admitting privileges at Lewis County Residential Health Care Facility. If the new resident's physician does not have admitting privileges, a physician who does have privileges will be assigned to the resident.