Services to Pregnant Women

Services to Pregnant Women A. All substance use services must document and follow written policies and procedures that ensure: 1. Pregnant women are given top priority for admission. 2. Pregnant women may not be placed on a waiting list. Pregnant women must be admitted into a substance use disorder treatment service within 48 hours. 3. If a service is unable to admit a pregnant woman due to being at capacity or any other appropriate reason, the service must assess, refer, and assist the woman with placement in another DMH-certified service within 48 hours. 4. If a service is unable to admit a pregnant woman, the woman must be referred to a local health provider for prenatal care until an appropriate placement is made. 5. If unable to complete the entire process as outlined, DMH must be notified immediately by fax or email using standardized forms provided by DMH. The time frame for notifying DMH of inability to place a pregnant woman cannot exceed 48 hours from the initial request for treatment from the woman. 6. If an agency provider is at capacity and a referral must be made, the pregnant woman must be offered an immediate face-to-face assessment at the agency provider or another DMH-certified agency provider. If offered at another DMH-certified agency provider, the referring agency provider must fully facilitate the appointment at the alternate DMH-certified agency provider. The referring agency provider must follow-up with the certified agency provider to ensure the woman was placed within 48 hours. 7. Written documentation of placement or assessment and referral of pregnant women must be maintained on-site and reported to DMH.