🎯 PAS Scoring Breakdown
ALTCS uses the PAS to assess medical and functional needs. Children must score at least 40 points to qualify medically for ALTCS (source).
🧠 Functional Score
Assesses support needs in daily living. Scores vary by age:
- Ages 6–11:
- Key domains: communication, learning, self-direction, behavior
- Each item scores up to 24 points (source)
- Max total functional score: 112.5 points
- Example scoring:
- Needs constant prompting for directions: 16–24 pts
- Requires assistance to bathe or dress: 16–24 pts
- Frequent meltdowns or elopement: 16–24 pts
💓 Medical Score
Assesses diagnoses, conditions, treatments, and stability:
- Ages 6–11:
- Chronic conditions or need for frequent care can add 1–2.5 points each, up to 5 total (source)
- Conditions considered include seizures, asthma, autism, need for assistive devices, G-tube feeding, etc.
⚖️ Combined Score = Functional + Medical
- Must total ≥ 40 points to qualify.
- For example: 35 functional + 5 medical = 40 → eligible.
📋 PAS Evaluation Domains (Ages 6–11)
- Self-care
- Receptive/Expressive Language
- Learning
- Mobility
- Self-Direction
- Independent Living
- Economic Self-Sufficiency
Note: For children under 6, only the first 5 domains are assessed (source).
💡 Tips to Maximize Your PAS Score
- Use Specific Language:
- “Needs hand-over-hand help daily with dressing” instead of “needs help dressing.”
- Document Frequency:
- Note if behaviors or assistance are required “daily,” “multiple times a day,” or “100% of time.”
- Describe Safety Risks:
- Mention elopement, unsafe behaviors, lack of awareness.
- Submit Strong Documentation:
- Use IEPs, MET reports, behavior logs, and therapy progress notes.
- Request In-Person Evaluation if Needed:
- Especially critical for children with autism or non-verbal communication needs (source).
🔁If Denied
- Appeal within 35 days using a written request. Benefits can continue during appeal if requested (source).
- Reapply anytime with new or stronger documentation. Include updated PAS if it was missed initially (source).
ALTCS uses the PAS to assess medical and functional needs. Children must score at least 40 points to qualify medically for ALTCS (source).
🧠 Functional Score
Assesses support needs in daily living. Scores vary by age:
- Ages 6–11:
- Key domains: communication, learning, self-direction, behavior
- Each item scores up to 24 points (source)
- Max total functional score: 112.5 points
- Example scoring:
- Needs constant prompting for directions: 16–24 pts
- Requires assistance to bathe or dress: 16–24 pts
- Frequent meltdowns or elopement: 16–24 pts
💓 Medical Score
Assesses diagnoses, conditions, treatments, and stability:
- Ages 6–11:
- Chronic conditions or need for frequent care can add 1–2.5 points each, up to 5 total (source)
- Conditions considered include seizures, asthma, autism, need for assistive devices, G-tube feeding, etc.
⚖️ Combined Score = Functional + Medical
- Must total ≥ 40 points to qualify.
- For example: 35 functional + 5 medical = 40 → eligible.
📋 PAS Evaluation Domains (Ages 6–11)
- Self-care
- Receptive/Expressive Language
- Learning
- Mobility
- Self-Direction
- Independent Living
- Economic Self-Sufficiency
Note: For children under 6, only the first 5 domains are assessed (source).
💡 Tips to Maximize Your PAS Score
- Use Specific Language:
- “Needs hand-over-hand help daily with dressing” instead of “needs help dressing.”
- Document Frequency:
- Note if behaviors or assistance are required “daily,” “multiple times a day,” or “100% of time.”
- Describe Safety Risks:
- Mention elopement, unsafe behaviors, lack of awareness.
- Submit Strong Documentation:
- Use IEPs, MET reports, behavior logs, and therapy progress notes.
- Request In-Person Evaluation if Needed:
- Especially critical for children with autism or non-verbal communication needs (source).
🔁 If Denied – What to Do
- Appeal within 35 days using a written request. Benefits can continue during appeal if requested (source).
- Reapply anytime with new or stronger documentation. Include updated PAS if it was missed initially (source).