Facility Site Review (FSR) & Medical Record Review (MRR) Guidelines

CenCal Health conducts Facility Site Reviews (FSR) and Medical Record Reviews (MRR) for primary care providers as a requirement to participle in CenCal Health programs. Site reviews ensure that all primary care provider (PCP) sites meet the prescribed standards of the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS)/Medi-Cal Managed Care Division (MMCD).

• An Initial Facility Site Review (FSR) is part of the credentialing process.
• New PCP sites must pass their Initial FSR before receiving CenCal Health member assignments.
• CenCal Health conducts an initial Medical Record Review (MRR) approximately 3-6 months following the first member assignment.
• CenCal Health conducts a periodic full scope FSR and MRR every 36 months thereafter.
• Every 18 months, CenCal Health performs an interim monitoring review via and attestation form or site visit.
• A Physical Accessibility Review (PAR) evaluates the level of physical accessibility of the health care site. The PAR is conducted as part of every PCP FSR. It is also required as an independent review process for specialists and allied providers serving a high volume of Medi-Cal members who are part of the Seniors and Persons with Disabilities (SPD) population.

DHCS-Certified Nurse Reviewers conduct the FSR and MMR and score them with standardized DHCS guidelines and audit tools. Corrective Action Plans are required for those providers who do not meet the minimum required score.

The purpose of the reviews is to ensure that the clinic:

• Provides appropriate primary health care services.
• Has consistent processes that support continuity and coordination of care.
• Maintains patient safety standards and practices.
• Operates in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

Required Score:

• A pre-contractual provider must score above 80% on the site review survey to be counted as a network provider.
• Providers who score below 80% will be re-surveyed and must pass the site review survey at 80% or higher.
• Providers that score 80—89% will be required to complete a Corrective Action Plan within specified timelines.

Please refer to the Facility Site Review Binder for forms to assist your office in preparing for site visits.

DHCS has released a new All Plan Letter (APL) 20-006 to reflect these updates. This APL supersedes Policy Letters (PL) 14-004, PL 03-002, and APL 03-007. DHCS recognizes the extent and impact of these changes. Providers and staff should remain informed and begin training on the updates to FSR and MRR criteria and standards.

Clinic Policies for Primary Care Provider Settings

CenCal Health offers these sample policies and tools for providers who may wish to adapt them for use in their own practices.

All Medi-Cal Managed Care (Medi-Cal) provider sites are required to establish safety, member rights and general policies and procedures for their practice. Please review all sample policies and procedures below and customize any or all of the policies and their respective attachments you wish to adopt based on your clinic’s practice and processes. Please complete the Approval date, Approved by, Effective Date, and Revision date for each of the adopted policies. All providers and staff shall receive trainings/in-services on all clinic policies and procedures. Annual trainings/in-services are required for Blood-Borne Pathogens Exposure Control, Biohazardous Waste Management and Infection Control/Standard/Universal Precautions. All clinic policies and evidence of training shall be kept on site or made available upon request.

Click here to reference a Pre-Audit Preparation Packet with includes a checklist in preparation for your upcoming audit as part of your own internal monitoring prior to your next FSR or MRR appointment.