IM+CANS Basics
This tool helps clinicians organize information about a client’s needs and strengths to guide treatment planning in Illinois Medicaid services.
Illinois Medicaid Comprehensive Assessment of Needs and Strengths
When scoring needs in the IM+CANS, this number means the area is currently a centerpiece strength for the client.
0
How often must a Crisis Plan be reviewed and updated?
To bill Medicaid, services must be documented in this type of record.
Progress Notes
This section of the IM+CANS captures the client's medical conditions, medications, and physical health risks.
Health Risk Assessment (HRA) Addendum
True or False: You must complete a full IM+CANS reassessment if the client changes levels of care (e.g., from outpatient to residential).
True
How often must Consents to Treatment and Emergency Treatment forms be renewed?
True or False: Medicaid is funded only by the federal government.
False. Both state and Federal.
This section of the IM+CANS focuses on areas where a client demonstrates abilities, talents, or resources.
Strengths section.
When completing the IM+CANS, ratings should be based on the client’s functioning over this time period.
The past 30 days.
The IM+CANS must be updated within this number of days, or when a major change happens.
180 days
In Illinois, this assessment tool is required to authorize Medicaid community mental health services.
IM+CANS
On the IM+CANS, a “3” rating in the needs section indicates this level of urgency.
Immediate or intensive action required.
What does the acronym SMART stand for when writing client objectives?
Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound
An initial IATP must be completed and signed within this timeframe after the first billable service.
45 days.
Medicaid requires that services be linked to these, which must be identified in the treatment plan.
Client goals and objectives
This term describes the process of pulling together information from the IM+CANS to understand the client’s needs, strengths, and goals in a meaningful way.
Case conceptualization
This must happen before any initial IM+CANS can be billed to Medicaid.
Obtain client/guardian Consent to Treatment.
How often must a Safety Plan be updated when a client is assessed as having suicide risk?
As needed
The services we provide must be this — meaning necessary for treatment and appropriate for the client’s condition — in order to be reimbursable by Medicaid.
Medically necessary