Admission to Services

Admission to Services A. Written policies and procedures, which must be implemented, must address admission to services, and must at a minimum: 1. Describe the process for admission and readmission to service(s). 2. Define the criteria for admission or readmission to service(s), including: (a) Description of the population to be served (age[s], eligibility criteria, any special populations, etc.). (b) Process for determination of appropriateness of services to address the needs of the person seeking services. (c) Number of people to be served (agency providers of community living services only). (d) Expected results/outcomes. (e) Methodology for evaluating expected results/outcomes. 3. Assure equal access to treatment and services and non-discrimination based on ability to pay, race, color, gender, religion, age, creed, national origin, political affiliation, disability, and other federal non-discrimination protections for people who meet eligibility criteria. 4. Describe the process or requirements for intake/initial assessment, including the process for requesting appropriate consent to obtain relevant records of people receiving services from other agency providers. 5. Describe the procedure for people who are ordered into behavioral healthcare treatment by the court system. 6. Describe materials provided to people upon admission, including materials that may be included in an orientation packet, etc. 7. Describe the process for informing people, children/youth (if age appropriate) and children/youth’s parent(s)/legal representative(s) of their rights and responsibilities (including any applicable service rules) prior to or at the time of admission. 8. Describe the process to be followed when admission or readmission to service(s) offered by the agency provider is not appropriate for the person, and the agency’s policy regarding admission denials. Describe the right to be referred (and the corresponding procedures for such) to other agency provider services and supports if the agency provider is unequipped or unable to serve the person. Such referral(s) and follow-up contacts must be documented. IDD providers are excluded from this requirement. 9. Describe procedures for maintaining and addressing a waiting list for admission or readmission to service(s) available by the agency provider. 10. Describe procedures for providing a schedule to people and their families for each service and/or service location that includes the hours of daily operation, number of days per year the service/service location is available, and the scheduled dates of closure/unavailability and reasons. 11. Describe procedures for disbursing funds on behalf of people receiving services. B. The agency provider must implement written policies and procedures for providing appointments for people being discharged from inpatient care that: 1. Provide a phone number where contact can be made to arrange for an appointment; and 2. Assure the person requesting services only must make one (1) call to arrange an appointment. C. The requirements for admission of people under ID/DD Waiver or IDD Community Support Programs include the following (refer to the timelines located in the appropriate manual): 1. Support Coordination/Targeted Case Management/Transition Coordination meets with the person and their legal representative(s) to offer choice of services and agency providers. 2. The Support Coordinator/Targeted Case Manager/Transition Coordinator contacts the IDD agency provider to determine if the agency provider has the capacity to enroll the person. An agency provider cannot refuse to admit a person solely based on their support needs. 3. A Plan of Services and Supports is developed (Refer to Chapter 17). 4. Once the DOM makes the overall decision of eligibility, the Support Coordinator/Targeted Case Manager sends the IDD agency provider a Service Authorization and other documentation as required by DMH. 5. The IDD agency provider admits the person according to its written policies and procedures.