Expedited Admission Task Force:
EOHHS, the Department of Mental Health (DMH) with the Office of MassHealth and the Department of Public Health (DPH) in partnership with the Division of Insurance (DOI) convened a task force to develop expedited psychiatric inpatient admission interventions available for all individuals boarding in EDs for extended periods of time. The task force membership also includes insurers, psychiatric and medical hospital providers, hospital and carrier trade associations, professional associations, and state agency representatives.
Expedited Psychiatric Inpatient Admission Policy – Effective February 1, 2018:
This policy provides an escalation protocol for securing appropriate placement for moving individuals boarding in emergency departments who require inpatient psychiatric hospital level of care. This policy sets clear steps and responsibility for escalating cases where placement has not been achieved in a reasonable period of time to senior clinical leadership at insurance carriers, inpatient psychiatric units, and ultimately to DMH, with the goal of identifying and resolving barriers to admission.
♦ Expedited Psychiatric Inpatient Admission Policy (Document)
♦ Expedited Psychiatric Inpatient Admission presentation (ppt slides)
♦ Psychiatric Inpatient Admission Policy Frequently Asked Questions
♦ Expedited Psychiatric Inpatient Admission Policy Webinar Recording
♦ Admission Policy Flow Chart (Document)
♦ Health Insurance Carrier/Payer Contact List (Document)
♦ Inpatient Psychiatric Facility/Unit Contact List (Document)
DMH Escalation Portal
After 96 hours, cases should be escalated to DMH. DMH is currently experiencing technical difficulties with the 96 hour portal. Until it is fixed, submit a 96 hour escalation request to DMH by completing the PDF version of the form linked below and submit as an attachment to the “Secure” email system portal linked below. Instructions for registering and using this system are included.
♦ Referral form to include in secure email with request for DMH assistance at 96 hours
♦ Guidelines for setting up portal/email password and access (Document)
Additional Materials - Additional materials can be found at DMH’s page and/or by clicking here.