The LIC 602 Physician’s Report and Hospital Discharge

Written By Настя Олейник

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The LIC 602 (Physician’s Report) is a mandatory medical document required by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) for any individual transitioning into a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly (RCFE) or Assisted Living community. This report provides a comprehensive evaluation of a patient's physical and cognitive health, confirms a negative Tuberculosis (TB) status, and determines the specific level of care and supervision required. Under California law, a properly completed LIC 602 is the essential legal prerequisite for admission into any licensed senior living facility.

For families and healthcare providers seeking a streamlined and error-free way to navigate this process, LIC602.COM provides professional assistance to ensure all medical documentation meets the current state standards and regulatory requirements.

CDSS Regulatory Requirements for 2025–2026

Effective January 1, 2025, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) updated the standards for the LIC 602 form to emphasize a person-centered care approach. The primary objective of the document is to match a resident's specific needs with the technical and staffing capabilities of a facility. The form serves as a regulatory safeguard, ensuring that the RCFE can provide a safe environment for the individual.

Modernizing Cognitive Health Assessments

In the 2026 clinical protocols, there is a significant shift in how patient conditions are described. Regulatory bodies have moved away from subjective labels, replacing the term "problem behaviors" with "behavioral expressions." On the LIC 602 form, the medical professional must now provide detailed descriptions of:

  • Unsafe wandering patterns;

  • Hallucinations or impulsivity;

  • The ability to follow instructions during an emergency evacuation.

This level of detail is critical for individual risk appraisals. Based on this data, RCFE administration determines whether a resident can reside in a general assisted living environment or requires a secured Memory Care unit.

Mobility Classification and Fire Safety Standards

The mobility status recorded in the Physician's Report is a primary legal factor in the placement process. Errors in this section often lead to admission denials due to facility license limitations and the strict requirements of the State Fire Marshal.

Mobility Category Definition (2026 Standards)
Ambulatory Able to exit the building independently without physical assistance during a fire or emergency.
Nonambulatory Requires mechanical aids (walkers, wheelchairs) or physical assistance from staff to evacuate.
Bedridden Confined to a bed; requires staff assistance for all movement and positioning.

If a patient is classified as Bedridden on the LIC 602, the facility must hold a specific fire clearance in its license to accept the resident. Failing to verify this can result in significant regulatory violations for the facility.

Clinical Significance and Medication Reconciliation

For residents transitioning from a hospital setting to Assisted Living in 2025–2026, the clinical standard involves the synergy of two documents: the LIC 602 form and the Hospital Discharge Summary. While the LIC 602 establishes a baseline of health, the discharge summary tracks recent acute changes.

Safety Protocols for Medication Management

The process of Medication Reconciliation is a high-priority safety area. Research indicates that up to 97.8% of patients transitioning from a hospital encounter discrepancies in their medication lists.

The Five-Step Reconciliation Protocol:

  1. Baseline Review: Collecting data from the Physician's Report and previous prescriptions.

  2. Acute Update: Analyzing new orders from the discharge summary (e.g., new anticoagulants or antibiotics).

  3. Discrepancy Identification: Searching for duplicates or dangerous drug interactions.

  4. Clinical Approval: Final list verification by an RCFE physician or Nurse Practitioner.

  5. Staff Instruction: Relaying the confirmed list to the staff responsible for medication supervision.

Readmission Statistics and Care Coordination

Effective care coordination through high-quality documentation directly impacts health outcomes and prevents unnecessary returns to the hospital. Data from 2025 highlights 30-day readmission rates across various regions:

State Average 30-Day Readmission Rate Contributing Factors
Massachusetts 15.3% High density of senior population and large hospital systems.
Florida 15.0% High volume of chronic health conditions.
Utah 13.8% Efficient primary care networks.
Idaho 13.3% Lowest national rate as of 2025.

Nationwide, the risk of hospital readmission drops by 12–24% when the LIC 602 and discharge summary are fully completed and shared within 7 days of the transition to a care facility.

People Also Ask

Who is authorized to sign the LIC 602 in 2025?

In addition to physicians (MD/DO), licensed Nurse Practitioners (NP) and Physician Assistants (PA) are authorized to sign the form. This policy helps prevent delays during the discharge process from a hospital or rehab center.

How long is a Tuberculosis (TB) test valid?

For RCFE admission, a TB test must be performed within one year prior to the admission date. The test results are a mandatory field in the Physician's Report.

Is the LIC 602 form confidential?

Yes. The document contains Protected Health Information (PHI) and is covered by HIPAA regulations. It is only accessible to authorized medical personnel and the administration of the licensed facility.

Strategic Recommendations for Families and Facilities

Utilizing the LIC 602 form in conjunction with a hospital discharge summary ensures a balance between long-term functional assessment and short-term clinical stability. For families, this dual-documentation approach is the most reliable way to ensure the safety of a loved one during the critical phase of changing care environments.

Facility administrators are encouraged to implement a Double-Check protocol, comparing every field of the Physician's Report with the resident's current clinical status. Any contradictions should be resolved with the primary physician within 24 hours of admission.

If you need assistance preparing these documents, LIC602.COM allows you to complete the LIC 602 form professionally and accurately.

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