California's Form 602a Describes a Senior’s Needs to Residential Care Facilities

Form 602a is the California state physician’s report that informs a licensed residential care facility for the elderly (RCFE) about a potential resident’s needs for care, medication, assistance, and more. RCFEs are California state licensed facilities that support seniors with activities of daily living, memory care, and supervision. Depending on the type of license, different RCFEs in California offer different levels of care, such as assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing care.

By state regulation, California RCFEs must determine that their residents meet the facility’s specific admission criteria and that it can provide proper care. Using Form 602a is one way to ensure the facility gets all the information it needs before the senior can move in.

Families can find Form 602a on the California Department of Social Services website. A Place for Mom advisors also have the form handy for families who want to move a loved one into a California RCFE.

The physician’s report requires the following:

• A patient’s medical history
• A patient physical examination
• A tuberculosis (TB) skin test or a chest X-ray to rule out active pulmonary tuberculosis

Information from the form needs to be collected prior to admission and when the Department of Social Services requires an updated assessment. Residents with dementia need to update the assessment annually.

Is assisted living the right fit?

Set up a doctor’s appointment early and follow the normal process for making an appointment with your loved one’s medical provider. However, when scheduling the appointment, it’s important to mention that the purpose of it is to complete a physician’s report, Form 602a. It could take extra time, and the office will need to be prepared.

You should also be aware that, depending on the type of insurance or medical provider your loved one has, they may be required to go through the insurance’s member services first.

Who completes Form 602a?

A senior’s primary care physician needs to complete Form 602a. If your loved one is in a skilled nursing community or hospital, the attending physician there may also complete it. It’s preferable to have their primary care physician complete the form, though, because they usually have a more in-depth knowledge of your family member’s medical history.

It can take some time for a physician to return the form, so it’s better to request it well before it’s needed.

Don’t miss important details on the form

There are several items on the form that need careful attention. One is the diagnostic difference between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia, as these diagnoses result in different care needs. Identifying whether a senior is suffering from MCI or dementia on Form 602a helps ensure seniors can receive the care they need at the facility they are applying to.

Another vital area to focus on is whether the physician thinks the senior can leave a community with or without assistance. For example, emergency conditions may require them to be able to respond to sensory signals such as alarms or verbal instructions, so it’s important to know if they will need help.

All boxes and items must be filled out to ensure your loved one receives the right type of care. If someone makes a mistake, it should not just be crossed out and corrected on the form. Errors require adding a new page that explains the change, and the physician must sign off on the correction.

Caregivers’ role in completing Form 602a

Families should be seniors’ biggest advocates to get the forms filled out quickly and accurately. Go to your loved one’s appointment with them. A family member could also contact the physician’s office regularly to check on the form’s status. Respectfully and clearly communicate the importance of quickly returning the form.

Assisted living questions? Get expert help

The form is essential to helping California families make a well-informed decision when choosing a new home with and for their loved one because it can clarify your loved one’s care needs. If you need more assistance with Form 602a, budgeting, or just finding the right fit, our Senior Living Advisors can help.

A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors work to understand the care needed by the senior in your life, as well as the location, services, and amenities that will help them feel at home. If you’re looking for a community in California, let us help you find the right fit for your loved one.