Resident Evaluation Tool Settings

This guide outlines the Resident Evaluation Tool (RET) Settings that support the Evaluation → Service Plan workflow. Changes made in RET Settings directly impact how evaluations are completed, how scores are calculated, and how Service Plans are generated.

Access Resident Evaluation Tool Settings 

To access Resident Evaluation Tool settings:

1. Navigate to Settings → Resident Evaluation Tool. 

These tabs allow you to configure and manage all RET components.

Evaluations Tab

The Evaluations Tab is the primary location to build, manage, and maintain RET templates. These templates drive how residents are evaluated and how results flow into Service Plans.

In this tab, you can:

• Create templates: Typically completed during onboarding with constulation by an ALIS team member. Users with appropriate permissions may also build templates independently. Refer to the How to build a Resident Evaluation Tool in ALIS guide for detailed steps.
• Enable templates for use: Use the Manage button to activate templates and make them available in workflows.
• Edit templates: Update structure, questions, scoring, and configuration.
• Manage template status: Templates are tagged as Draft, Published, or Deactivated.
• Export template map: Download an Excel version of the template structure for auditing or alignment with Care Item settings.

Care Identifiers Tab

The Care Identifiers Tab contains all Care Identifiers used within RET templates. These identifiers are typically created during template build, so most administrators will not manage them directly.

Care Identifiers ensure that evaluation outcomes can flow to Care Tracking documentation. 

Important: Care Identifiers must be mapped to Care Items in Care Settings before they can appear on Care Plans. For mapping instructions, refer to this How to map Care Identifiers to Care Items guide.

Roles and Locations tab

The Roles and Locations Tab defines who performs a service and where it occurs. These values appear in Service Plan documentation.

Add a Role or Location:

1. Click + Add New in the Roles or Locations section.
2. Enter the Name.
3. (Optional) Add a description for internal use.
4. Click Save. 

Descriptions are for internal reference and do not appear in Evaluation or Service Plan documentation.

Set a Default:

If most services use the same role or location, it can be helpful to set a default (e.g., Role: Staff, Location: At Community).

1. Click Set Default.
2. Select the Name (role or location) from the dropdown.
3. Click Submit.

The default will automatically populate during template creation.

Reasons and Care Levels tab

The Reasons and Care Levels Tab controls how evaluations are triggered, how scoring is interpreted, and how total scores are translated into Care Levels within ALIS.

This tab allows you to configure:

• Evaluation Reasons and expiration rules 
• Care Levels (point ranges, thresholds, fees) 
• Care Package rates (view/edit only)

Evaluation Reasons 

Evaluation Reasons define the type and timing of assessments and determine which RET template is used.

Common examples include:

• Pre-Admission
• Initial
• Annual
• Change of Condition

Each reason can be linked to a specific RET template to support different evaluation workflows.

Add New Evaluation Reason: 

1. Click + Add New Evaluation Reason. 
2. Complete the following fields:
   1. Product Type: Determines which product type(s) this evaluation applies to.
   2. Reason Name: The name that will appear in the dropdown when an evaluator begins an assessment.
   3. Expires In: Defines how long the evaluation remains valid before a new evaluation is due.
   4. (Optional) Evaluation Events: Limits this reason to specific move-in events (e.g., New Applicant, Readmit, Transfer).
   5. Associated RET: Select the Resident Evaluation Tool template that will be used when this reason is chosen.
   6. (Optional) Select Exclude from Next Evaluation Reason Suggestions: Use for non-recurring evaluations (e.g., Change of Condition) that should not affect ongoing scheduling. 
3. Click Create Evaluation Reason to save.

'Exclude from Next Evaluation Reason' Logic

Use this setting for non-recurring or situational evaluations (e.g., Pre-Admission or Change of Condition).

When this setting is enabled for an Evaluation Reason:

• The evaluation does not disrupt the existing evaluation schedule.
• The next scheduled evaluation remains based on the last non-excluded reason.
• The Expires In field is not required.

Care Levels 

Care Levels define how total evaluation scores translate into resident acuity levels.

Care Levels only define the score ranges, while points are assigned to individual answer choices within the RET template.

Each level represents a range of total points configured in this tab. As an evaluation is completed, all answer-level points are totaled, and the system automatically generates the resident’s Care Level based on these ranges.

Care Levels are used to support:

• Service Plan development
• Care and staffing decisions
• Rate or billing structures (if configured)

Add New Care Level: 

1. Click + Add New Care Level.
2. Complete the following fields:
   • Product Type: Based on company and community configuration.
   • Level Name: Enter the name of the care level (e.g., Level 1, Level 2, All-Inclusive).
   • Min. Points: Defines the starting point for the care level range. Enter the minimum points required for the level. ALIS automatically builds the range based on the next defined level.
   • Rate Calculation: Select how the rate is applied (Flat Rate or Per Point).
   • Target Rate: Enter the associated fee for this care level.
3. Click Create Care Level.

Care Packages (View/Edit Rates Only)

Only Care Packages created in the Care Packages Tab appear here. From this location, you can only edit Care Package rates via Options → Edit.

All other Care Package configuration is managed in the Care Packages Tab or within the RET template. 

Care Packages tab

The Care Packages Tab allows you to configure additional services or fees triggered by evaluation responses.

Examples include:

• Incontinence packages
• Pet fees
• Other additional services

Care Packages do not affect the resident’s Care Level scoring or or evaluation results. 

Add New Care Package: 

1. Click +Add New Care Package. 
2. Complete the following: 
   1. Care Package: Type the name of the package. 
   2. Linked Billing Item: To link the Care Package to Billing, select the appropriate Billing Item from the dropdown menu. (Items in the dropdown only available for a community with Billing Items set to "Care" as the Item Category. Refer to this How to add and manage Billing Items guide for more information.)
3. Click Create Care Package.

⚠️Important: Creating a Care Package alone does not trigger it during an evaluation. To ensure it generates, the Care Package must be linked to one or more Needs within your RET template. This is configured in the Package field when setting up Needs in the evaluation. For instructions, refer to this How to build a Resident Evaluation Tool in ALIS guide.

Add Care Package Fees

Once you create the Care Package, you may also want to associate a fee to automatically appear post-evaluation. To do so, navigate back to the Reasons and Care Levels tab > Care Packages section. 

Care Package fees can also be assigned or updated after evaluations and Service Plan completion by users with appropriate administrative or billing permissions.

Forms tab (if applicable) 

The Forms Tab is only visible when the Forms specialty feature is enabled.

This feature is designed for Washington-based communities and supports the WA Resident Characteristic Roster (DSHS 10-362). When enabled, the form auto-populates based on completed evaluations and supports state reporting requirements.

For enablement assistance, contact your Account Manager.

Audit tab

The Audit Tab provides a history of all RET configuration changes, including:

• Draft edits
• Published versions
• Question changes
• Need updates

Related Articles:

• How to build a Resident Evaluation Tool in ALIS
• Care Settings 
• How to map Care Identifiers to Care Items

For more assistance with RET settings,

Contact our ALIS Customer Success Team:

888.404.ALIS (2547) or support@go-alis.com