What the screening is for
UAI means Uniform Assessment Instrument. The long-term services and supports screening uses information about the person’s function, health needs, and support to evaluate the applicable level-of-care criteria. A diagnosis or one difficulty with daily life does not determine the result by itself.
What happens during the assessment conversation?
Be ready to explain what help the person needs with ordinary routines and what family members already do. Describe actual ability, not only what the person could do years ago or what happens on one unusually good day.
Variation matters too. If needs differ from day to day, explain that clearly. The goal is an accurate assessment, not rehearsed answers or a guaranteed number of hours.
Where to begin
For someone at home, ask the local social services office about long-term care screening. For someone in the hospital, discuss screening needs with the discharge team. The responsible route depends on the person’s situation.
Our Richmond, Henrico, and Chesterfield pages link to relevant local government information.
What happens after a UAI screening?
Ask about the outcome and clarify which approvals are complete. Medicaid financial eligibility, screening approval, and authorization for a particular service are different pieces. Once the required approval path is clear, selecting a provider and arranging the service are next steps.
Read what happens after personal care approval or our qualification guide. If a family member already helps, a paid caregiver option may be worth discussing separately.
Questions families ask
Does A to Z decide whether I pass the screening?
No. The responsible screening and Medicaid authorities make the official determinations.
Does passing guarantee a specific number of hours?
No. A service authorization and care plan address the particular services and hours.