Admission to Services
Objective
New Way of Southwest Louisiana LLC shall determine eligibility for services in a manner
that maximizes opportunities for persons to gain access to medication treatment
services that will improve the quality of life of participants. Intake and readmission
process is designed to minimize subjectivity within the process through clearly written
intake standards and a formalized admission process. Potential consumers are
evaluated during the initial assessment process, therefore eliminating the need for a
formal screening.
Policy
1. Eligibility
a. Agency services are initiated by referral. Referrals are received through self referral, school counselors, teachers, principals, assistant principals, bus drivers, family members, hospitals, probation officers, preachers, and other community professionals and community awareness.
b. Eligibility for services is gained through an initial assessment and by obtaining consent for services from the client or designated responsible party, clinician’s order that the client meets eligibility for clinical treatment, and verification of payment source.
c. Potential clients are interviewed using the “Initial Screening Form”. Staff shall be trained in the use of the screening tool to ensure that the screening process is administered in a consistent manner.
d. Payer source eligibility is determined through a review with the client and/or designated responsible party in a timely manner.
2. Intake Determination
a. In the event of multiple admission requests that prohibit immediate admission, insight will determine the order of access to services.
i. Admission will be prioritized according to the severity of each potential client.
b. The LMHP or agency designee will be responsible for making admission decisions.
c. If it is determined that the client meets eligibility for admission, a counselor will be assigned and schedule the client’s comprehensive assessment and orientation. Office staff will assist the individual with completing all of the required intake forms and make copies of the client’s relevant personal information needed for intake purposes such as; legal ID card, Social Security card, insurance card, etc.
d. Exclusion to admission will include:
i. If a situational crisis is occurring that is an immediate threat to client or others, identifying information will be sought and (911) will be contacted and reported that a behavioral emergency is in progress.
ii. Persons in need of a higher level of care
iii. Lack of a source of revenue to pay for services
iv. Suicide or Homicidal
v. Severe mental incapacity
vi. Lack of evidence of tolerance to medication treatments
vii. Lack of evidence of physiological dependence for at least one year prior to admission
3. Appropriateness of Services
a. Each potential client will receive an initial interview/assessment to determine appropriateness for services. The assessment will assist in determining the appropriateness for services and will additionally identify the immediate and urgent needs of the person to be served.
b. Each potential client identified as having a disability or who is Limited English Proficient (LEP) will be assessed to determine what kind of special assistance or accommodations will be needed to better serve that individual. The Clinical Director or designee will be the person responsible for coordinating and providing the individual with any assistance or resources they may need.
c. New Way will consider screening individuals who are pregnant and those who are enduring or lacking prenatal care which may affect program participation.
4. Persons Found Ineligible
a. If a person is found ineligible for services during the initial screening and referral process, the client and/or referral source will be informed of the reasons. If a comprehensive assessment is completed on the person referred, the person and/or the designated responsible party, as well as the referral source will be informed of the reasons for non-admission.
b. The referral source will be informed of the reasons for non-admission with the consent of the person served.
c. All persons found ineligible for services will be given recommendations for alternative services, or linkage back to the referral source for continued care or disposition.