MedicaidCoverageHigh impact
Change to interRAI Community Mental Health (CMH) assessment tool effective July 31, 2026
Oregon Health Plan·OR · Psychiatry, Palliative Care·Provider
Effective date
Jul 31, 2026
We identified it
Jul 11, 2026
Summary
Oregon Health Authority is replacing the Level of Service Inventory (LSI) assessment tool with the interRAI Community Mental Health (CMH) instrument for determining 1915(i) HCBS program eligibility effective July 31, 2026. This change affects service eligibility determination and residential rate calculations. The LSI will continue for Young Adults in Transition (YAT) Homes serving individuals under 21.
Action Required
By July 31, 2026: Billing and clinical teams must transition from LSI to interRAI CMH assessment tool for all 1915(i) HCBS program eligibility determinations. (1) Clinical staff: Review OHA's new Assessment Process Guide and implement interRAI CMH scoring for functional intensity measures and person-centered service planning. (2) Billing team: Update rate calculations to align with interRAI CMH scores rather than LSI scores; verify that billing software reflects new assessment instrument in rate determination logic. (3) All staff: Ensure care team member interviews and observations inform assessments per new process. (4) Establish process for submitting reconsiderations to IQA (Comagine Health) per updated guidelines. Exception: Continue using LSI for YAT Home residents under 21 years old. Failure to implement interRAI CMH by effective date will result in incorrect eligibility determinations and rate calculations. Contact Comagine Health (ORBHSupport@comagine.org) or OHA 1915(i) HCBS Policy team (1915i.MedicaidPolicy@odhsoha.oregon.gov) for implementation support.