FARS / CFARS

Providers serving Staywell and HealthEase Medicaid members are required to conduct functional assessments using the Functional Assessment Rating Scales (FARS) for members over age 18 and the Child Functional Assessment Rating Scales (CFARS) for members age 18 and under. Providers are required to become a certified FARS and/or CFARS rater (for more information on certification, please click here) and are responsible to administer the FARS/CFARS according to the FARS and CFARS manuals.  
  
Providers are required to complete a limited functional assessment (H0031) and FARS/CFARS form for each Staywell and HealthEase Medicaid member receiving an initial psychiatric evaluation (90801), Psychiatric Evaluation by a Physician (H2000HP), Psychiatric Evaluation by a non-Physician (H2000HO), an In-depth New Patient Assessment (H0031HO), or a Bio-Psychosocial Evaluation (H0031HN).  
  
A limited functional assessment (H0031) and FARS/CFARS form is required for each Staywell and HealthEase member during the 6th month of treatment, 12th month of treatment and every 6 months thereafter, until date of discharge. A final limited functional assessment (H0031) and FARS/CFARS form is required on the date of discharge from a treatment program. The results of these assessments must be maintained in the member's medical record, including a chart trending the results of the assessments.  
  
Prior authorization is required for each limited functional assessment (H0031), which may be a stand-alone service or requested in conjunction with an initial psychiatric evaluation (90801), Psychiatric Evaluation by a Physician (H2000HP), Psychiatric Evaluation by a non-Physician (H2000HO), an In-depth New Patient Assessment (H0031HO), an In-depth Established Patient Assessment (H0031TS) or Bio-Psychosocial Evaluation (H0031HN) as authorized. 
  
Providers are required to send a copy of each completed FARS/CFARS form to Harmony Behavioral Health upon request. 
  
 Forms
 
      FARS Form 
      CFARS Form