Medicare Benefit Policy Manual 
Chapter 2 - Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital Services 
 
Table of Contents 
(Rev. 253, 12-14-18) 
 
Transmittals for Chapter 2 
 
10 - Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Services 
10.1 - Background 
10.2 - Statutory Requirements 
10.3 - Affected Medicare Providers 
10.4 - Conditions for Payment under the IPF Prospective Payment System 
20 - Admission Requirements 
30 - Medical Records Requirements 
30.1 - Development of Assessment/Diagnositic Data 
30.2 - Psychiatric Evaluation 
30.2.1 - Certification and Recertification Requirements 
30.2.1.1 - Certification 
30.2.1.2 - Recertification 
30.2.1.3 - Delayed/Lapsed Certification and Recertification 
30.2.2 - Active Treatment 
30.2.2.1 - Principals for Evaluating a Period of Active Treatment 
30.2.3 - Services Supervised and Evaluated by a Physician 
30.3 - Treatment Plan 
30.3.1 - Individualized Treatment or Diagnostic Plan 
30.3.2 - Services Expected to Improve the Condition or for Purpose of 
Diagnosis 
30.4 - Recording Progress 
30.5 - Discharge Planning and Discharge Summary 
40 - Personnel Requirements 
40.1 - Director of Inpatient Psychiatric Services; Medical Staff 
40.2 - Nursing Services 
50 - Psychological Services 
60 - Social Services 
70 - Therapeutic Activities 
80 - Benefit Limits in Psychiatric Hospitals   90 - Benefits Exhaust  10 - Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Services 
(Rev. 59, Issued: 11-09-06, Effective: 01-01-05, Implementation: 12-04-06) 
 
10.1  Background 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19) 
This section and its subsections provide instructions about the Inpatient Psychiatric 
Facility Prospective Payment System (IPF PPS).  The IPF PPS replaced the reasonable 
cost/Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) based payments subject to 
TEFRA limits under 1886 (b) of the Social Security Act (the Act) for discharges 
beginning on and after the first day of the IPFs first cost reporting period beginning on 
or after January 1, 2005. 
The IPF PPS, codified at 42 CFR 412, Subpart N, provides payment for inpatient 
psychiatric treatment when provided to a patient in psychiatric hospitals, and distinct part 
psychiatric units of acute care hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs).  Psychiatric 
hospitals and psychiatric units that used to be paid reasonable-cost under TEFRA, 
1886(b) of the Act, are now paid under the IPF PPS. 
As described in 42 CFR 412.23(a), a psychiatric hospital must meet the following 
requirements to be excluded from the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) and 
paid under the IPF PPS:  
(1) Be primarily engaged in providing, by or under the supervision of a psychiatrist, 
psychiatric services for the diagnosis and treatment of mentally ill persons; and 
(2) Meet the conditions of participation for hospitals and special conditions of 
participation for psychiatric hospitals set forth in 42 CFR part 482. 
 
As described in 42 CFR 412.27, a psychiatric unit must meet the following 
requirements to be excluded from the IPPS payment system, and paid under the IPF PPS:  
(1) Admit only patients whose admission to the unit is required for active treatment, 
of an intensity that can be provided appropriately only in an inpatient hospital setting, of 
a psychiatric principal diagnosis that is listed in the International Classification of 
Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification. 
(2) Furnish, through the use of qualified personnel, psychological services, social 
work services, psychiatric nursing, and therapeutic activities. 
(3) Maintain medical records that permit determination of the degree and intensity 
of the treatment provided to individuals who are furnished services in the unit, and that 
meet the requirements given in section 30 of this chapter.  
 
(4) Meet special staff requirements in that the unit must have adequate numbers of 
qualified professional and supportive staff to evaluate inpatients, formulate written,  individualized, comprehensive treatment plans, provide active treatment measures and 
engage in discharge planning, as given in section 40 of this chapter.   
The term "inpatient psychiatric facility services" means inpatient hospital services 
furnished to a patient of an inpatient psychiatric facility.  IPFs are certified under 
Medicare as inpatient psychiatric hospitals and distinct psychiatric units of acute care 
hospitals and CAHs. 
. 
10.2 - Statutory Requirements 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19) 
 
Section 124 of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP (State Children's Health Insurance 
Program) Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999 (BBRA) (Pub. L.106-113), 
mandated that the Secretary-(1) develop a per diem PPS for inpatient hospital services 
furnished in psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric units; (2) include in the PPS an 
adequate patient classification system that reflects the differences in patient resource use 
and costs among psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric units; (3) maintain budget 
neutrality; (4) is permitted to require psychiatric hospitals and psychiatric units to submit 
information necessary for the development of the PPS; and (5) submit a report to the 
Congress describing the development of the PPS.  Section 124 of the BBRA also required 
that the IPF PPS be implemented for cost reporting periods beginning on or after October 
1, 2002. 
The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) 
(Pub. L. 108-173), section 405(g) authorized extending the IPF PPS to distinct part 
psychiatric units of CAHs, effective for cost reporting periods beginning on or after 
October 1, 2004. 
 
10.3 - Affected Medicare Providers 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19) 
 
IPFs are certified under Medicare as inpatient psychiatric hospitals, which means, an 
institution that is primarily engaged in providing, by or under the supervision of a 
physician, psychiatric services for the diagnosis and treatment of mentally ill patients, 
maintains clinical records necessary to determine the degree and intensity of the 
treatment provided to the mentally ill patient, and meets staffing requirements sufficient 
to carry out active programs of treatment for individuals who are furnished care in the 
institution.  A distinct part psychiatric unit may also be certified if it meets the clinical 
record and staffing requirements in 42 CFR 412.27.  
 
The regulations at 42 CFR 412.402 define an IPF as a hospital that meets the 
requirements specified in 42 CFR 412.22 and 42 CFR412.23(a), 42 CFR 482.60, 42 CFR 
482.61, and 42 CFR 482.62, and a unit that meets the requirements specified in 42 CFR 
412.22, 42 CFR 412.25, and 42 CFR 412.27.   
The IPF PPS does not change the basic criteria for a hospital or hospital unit to be 
classified as a psychiatric hospital or psychiatric unit that is excluded from the hospital 
prospective payment systems under 1886(d) and 1886(g) of the Act, nor does it revise 
the survey and certification procedures applicable to entities seeking this classification. 
 
The provider number ranges (Online Survey and Certification and Reporting System 
(OSCAR) number) for IPFs are from xx-4000 through xx-4499, xx-Sxxx, and xx-Mxxx.   
 
The following hospitals are not included in IPF PPS. 
 
  Veterans Administration hospitals; see 42 CFR 412.22 (c). 
 
  Hospitals that are reimbursed under state cost control systems approved under 42 CFR 
Part 403; Psychiatric hospitals (provider numbers xx-4000 - xx-4499) in the State of 
Maryland are paid under the IPF PPS.  Psychiatric distinct part units located in an acute 
care hospital in Maryland identified by S in the third position of the OSCAR number 
are waived from the IPF PPS, as are the acute hospital in which they are located.  
Currently there are no CAHs in Maryland. 
 
  Hospitals that are reimbursed in accordance with demonstration projects authorized under 
42 CFR 402(a) of Pub.L. 90-248 (42 U. S. C. 1395b-1) or 222(a) of Pub.L. 92-603 (42 
U. S. C. 1395b-1); IPFs in acute care hospitals that are paid in accordance with 
demonstration projects are paid in accordance with the demonstration project; 
 
  Nonparticipating hospitals furnishing emergency services to Medicare beneficiaries. See 
42 CFR 412.22(c). 
Payments to foreign hospitals are made in accordance with the provisions set forth in 42 
CFR 413.74. 
 
10.4 - Conditions for payment under the IPF Prospective Payment System 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19) 
 
As required in 42 CFR 412.404, effective for cost reporting periods beginning on or after 
January 1, 2005, an inpatient psychiatric facility (IPF), defined as an inpatient 
psychiatric hospital or distinct psychiatric unit of an acute care hospital or CAH, must 
meet the following conditions to receive payment under the IPF prospective payment 
system (PPS) for inpatient hospital services furnished to Medicare Part A fee-for-service 
beneficiaries. 
If an IPF fails to comply fully with these conditions, CMS may, as appropriate withhold 
(in full or in part) or reduce Medicare payment to the IPF until the facility provides 
adequate assurances of compliance, or CMS may classify the IPF as an inpatient hospital 
that is subject to the requirements for hospitals and paid under the hospital Inpatient 
Prospective Payment System.    IPFs subject to the IPF PPS.  Subject to the special payment provisions of 
412.22(c), an IPF must meet the general criteria set forth in 412.22.  In order 
to be excluded from the hospital inpatient prospective payment system as 
specified in 412.1(a)(1), a psychiatric hospital must meet the criteria set forth in 
412.23(a), 482.60, 482.61, and 482.62 and psychiatric units must meet the 
criteria set forth in 412.25 and 412.27. 
 
  Limitations on charges to beneficiaries 
  Prohibited charges. Except as permitted below, an IPF may not charge a 
o
beneficiary for any services for which payment is made by Medicare, even 
if the facility's cost of furnishing services to that beneficiary is greater 
than the amount the facility is paid under the IPF PPS. 
  Permitted charges. An IPF receiving payment under the IPF PPS for a 
o
covered hospital stay (that is, a stay that included at least one covered 
day) may charge the Medicare beneficiary or other person only the 
applicable deductible and coinsurance amounts under 42 CFR 409.82, 
409.83, and 409.87 and for items or services as specified under 42 CFR 
489.20(a). 
 
  Furnishing of inpatient hospital services directly or under arrangement.   
Subject to the provisions of 412.422, the applicable payments made under the 
IPF PPS are payment in full for all inpatient hospital services, as specified in 
409.10. Hospital inpatient services do not include the following: 
(a) Physicians' services that meet the requirements of 42 CFR 415.102(a) 
for payment on a fee schedule basis. 
(b) Physician assistant services, as specified in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(i) of 
the Act. 
(c) Nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialist services, as specified 
in section 1861(s)(2)(K)(ii) of the Act. 
(d) Certified nurse midwife services, as specified in section 1861(gg) of 
the Act. 
(e) Qualified psychologist services, as specified in section 1861(ii) of the 
Act. 
(f) Services of a certified registered nurse anesthetist, as specified in 
section 1861(bb) of the Act and defined in 42 CFR 410.69. 
  CMS does not pay providers or suppliers, other than IPFs, for services 
o
furnished to a Medicare beneficiary who is an inpatient of the IPF, except 
for the professional services described in (a) through (f) above. 
    The IPF must furnish all necessary covered services to a Medicare 
o
beneficiary who is an inpatient of the IPF, either directly or under 
arrangements (as specified in 42 CFR 409.3). 
 
  Reporting and recordkeeping requirements. All IPFs participating in the IPF PPS 
must meet the recordkeeping and cost reporting requirements as specified in 42 
CFR 412.27(c), 413.20, 413.24, and 482.61.  Medical record requirements are 
detailed in section 30 of this chapter. 
 
  An IPF may not file its cost reports as an all-inclusive provider unless that all-
  inclusive status has been previously approved by its Medicare Administrative 
  Contractor, in accordance with the Provider Reimbursement Manual, Part 1, 
  chapter 22, section 2208.   
 
20 - Admission Requirements 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19) 
 
In accordance with 42 CFR 412.27(c), for all IPFs, a provisional or admitting diagnosis 
must be made on every patient at the time of admission, and must include the diagnosis 
of comorbid conditions as well as the psychiatric diagnosis.  The reasons for admission 
must be clearly documented as stated by the patient or others significantly involved, or 
both. 
 
Psychiatric hospitals are required to be primarily engaged in providing, by or under the 
supervision of a psychiatrist, psychiatric services for the diagnosis and treatment of 
mentally ill persons, according to 42 CFR 412.23(a).  Distinct part psychiatric units of 
acute care hospitals and CAHs are required to admit only those patients whose admission 
to the unit is required for active treatment, of an intensity that can be provided 
appropriately only in an inpatient hospital setting, of a psychiatric principal diagnosis that 
is listed in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical 
Modification.       
 
As a condition for Medicare payment, all admissions to IPFs must be certified and 
recertified by a physician, as detailed in section 30.2.1. 
 
30 - Medical Records Requirements 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19) 
 
The medical records maintained by an IPF must permit determination of the degree and 
intensity of the treatment provided to individuals who are furnished services in the 
institution. 
 
In addition, consistent with the hospital conditions of participation, all medical records, 
including progress notes and treatment plan, should be legible and complete, and should 
be promptly signed and dated by the person (identified by name and discipline) who is 
responsible for ordering, providing or evaluating the service furnished.   
30.1 - Development of Assessment/Diagnostic Data 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19) 
 
In accordance with 42 CFR 412.27(c) and 42 CFR 482.61(a), medical records must stress 
the psychiatric components of the record, including history of findings and treatment 
provided for the psychiatric condition for which the patient is hospitalized. 
 
(1)  The identification data must include the patients legal status.  According to 
the Interpretative Guidelines for 482.61(a)(1) given in the State Operations Manual 
(SOM; see IOM 100-07, Appendix AA), legal status is defined in the State statutes and 
dictates the circumstances under which the patient was admitted and/or is being treated - i.e., 
voluntary, involuntary, committed by court, evaluation and recertification are in accordance 
with State requirements. 
 
(2)  A provisional or admitting diagnosis must be made on every patient at the 
time of admission, and must include the diagnoses of comorbid conditions as well as the 
psychiatric diagnoses. 
 
(3)  The reasons for admission must be clearly documented as stated by the 
patient and/or others significantly involved. 
 
(4)  The social service records, including reports of interviews with patients, 
family members, and others, must provide an assessment of home plans and family 
attitudes, and community resource contacts as well as a social history. 
 
(5)  When indicated, a complete neurological examination must be recorded at the 
time of the admission physical examination. 
 
30.2 - Psychiatric Evaluation 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19) 
 
In accordance with 42 CFR 412.27(c) and 42 CFR 482.61(b), each patient must receive a 
psychiatric evaluation that must 
 
(1)  Be completed within 60 hours of admission; 
 
(2)  Include a medical history; 
 
(3)  Contain a record of mental status; 
 
(4)  Note the onset of illness and the circumstances leading to admission; 
 
(5)  Describe attitudes and behavior; 
 
(6)  Estimate intellectual functioning, memory functioning, and orientation; and    
(7)  Include an inventory of the patients assets in descriptive, not interpretative 
fashion. 
 
 
30.2.1 - Certification and Recertification Requirements 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19) 
 
Medicare Part A pays for inpatient services in an inpatient psychiatric facility only if a 
physician certifies and recertifies the need for services consistent with the requirements 
given in Pub. 100-01, Medicare General Information, Eligibility and Entitlement Manual, 
chapter 4, 10.9, for certification requirements. 
 
The format of all certifications and recertifications and the method by which they are 
obtained is determined by the individual facility.  No specific procedures or forms are 
required.  The provider may adopt any method that permits verification of all the IPFs 
requirements to continue treatment.  For example, the recertification may be entered on 
provider generated forms, in progress notes, or in the records (relating to the stay in 
question) and must be signed by a physician. 
 
Claim denials may not be made for failure to use a certification or recertification form or 
failure to use particular language or format, provided that the medical record 
demonstrates the content requirements given at 30.2.1 are met. 
 
30.2.1.1 - Certification 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19) 
 
The certification period begins with the order for inpatient admission.  The content 
requirements of the certification differ from those for other hospitals because the care 
furnished in inpatient psychiatric facilities is often purely custodial and thus not covered 
under Medicare.  The purpose of the statements, therefore, is to help ensure that 
Medicare pays only for services of the type appropriate for Medicare coverage.  
 
The certification that a physician must provide, with respect to IPF services, is 
documentation that the services furnished can reasonably be expected to improve the 
patient's condition or for diagnostic study.  The certification is required at the time of 
admission or as soon thereafter that is reasonable and practicable.   
 
30.2.1.2 - Recertification 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19) 
 
If the patient continues to require active inpatient psychiatric treatment, then a physician 
must recertify as of the 12th day of hospitalization (with subsequent recertifications 
required at intervals established by the IPFs Utilization Review committee on a case-by-
case basis, but no less frequently than every 30 days) that the services were and continue 
to be required for treatment that could reasonably be expected to improve the patients  condition, or for diagnostic study, and that the patient continues to need, on a daily basis, 
active treatment furnished directly by, or requiring the supervision of, inpatient 
psychiatric facility personnel.  In addition, the hospital records should show that services 
furnished were intensive treatment services, admission or related services necessary for 
diagnostic study, or equivalent services.  See Pub.100-01, Medicare General Information, 
Eligibility and Entitlement Manual, chapter 4, 10.9, for recertification requirements. 
 
30.2.1.3 - Delayed/Lapsed Certification and Recertification 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19) 
 
IPFs are expected to obtain timely certifications and recertifications.  However, delayed 
certifications and recertifications will be honored where, for instance, there has been an 
oversight or lapse, and a legitimate reason for the delay as noted in Pub. 100-01, chapter 
4, 10.9.1 and 20.1.  Denial of payment for lack of the required certification and 
recertification is considered a technical denial, which means a statutory requirement has 
not been met.  Consequently, if an appropriate certification is later produced, the denial 
shall be overturned.  Reopenings of technical denial decisions may be initiated by the 
contractor or the provider. 
 
In addition to compliance with the appropriate certification and recertification content 
requirements, delayed certification and recertification must include an explanation for the 
delay and any medical or other evidence which the IPF considers relevant for purposes of 
explaining the delay.  The IPF will determine the format of the delayed certifications and 
recertifications, and the method by which they are obtained.  A delayed certification may 
be included with one or more recertifications on a single signed document.  Separate 
signed documents for each delayed certification and recertification are not required as 
they would be if timely certification and recertification had been completed.  For all IPF 
services, a delayed certification may not extend past discharge.  IPF certification or 
recertification documentation may only be signed by a physician. 
 
30.2.2 - Active Treatment 
(Rev. 59, Issued: 11-09-06, Effective: 01-01-05, Implementation: 12-04-06) 
 
Payment for IPF services is to be made only for "active treatment" that can reasonably be 
expected to improve the patient's condition.  To assure that payment is made only under 
such circumstances, the law includes certain requirements that must be met before the 
services furnished in an IPF can be covered, including medical necessity and 
certification. 
 
30.2.2.1 - Principles for Evaluating a Period of Active Treatment 
(Rev. 59, Issued: 11-09-06, Effective: 01-01-05, Implementation: 12-04-06) 
 
In the context of IPF services, emphasis is placed on the presence of active treatment and, 
therefore, this determination is the crucial one.  Simply applying the skilled care 
definition for general hospitals is not sufficient for determining whether payment may be  made since that definition does not take into account the patient's potential for 
improvement nor was it designed to permit the more sophisticated judgments required by 
the concept of active treatment.  For services in an IPF to be designated as active 
treatment, they must be: 
 
  Provided under an individualized treatment or diagnostic plan; 
 
  Reasonably expected to improve the patient's condition or for the purpose of 
diagnosis; and  
 
  Supervised and evaluated by a physician. 
 
Such factors as diagnosis, length of hospitalization, and the degree of functional 
limitation, while useful as general indicators of the kind of care most likely being 
furnished in a given situation, are not controlling in deciding whether the care was active 
treatment.  Refer to 42 CFR 482.61, Conditions of Participation for Hospitals, for a full 
description of what constitutes active treatment. 
 
The period of time covered by the physician's certification is referred to as a period of 
active treatment.  This period should include all days on which inpatient psychiatric 
facility services were provided because of the individual's need for active treatment (not 
just the days on which specific therapeutic or diagnostic services are rendered).  For 
example, a patient's program of treatment may necessitate the discontinuance of therapy 
for a period of time or it may include a period of observation, either in preparation for or 
as a follow-up to therapy, while only maintenance or protective services are furnished.  If 
such periods were essential to the overall treatment plan, they would be regarded as part 
of the period of active treatment. 
 
The fact that a patient is under the supervision of a physician does not necessarily mean 
the patient is getting active treatment.  For example, medical supervision of a patient may 
be necessary to assure the early detection of significant changes in his/her condition; 
however, in the absence of a specific program of therapy designed to effect improvement, 
a finding that the patient is receiving active treatment would be precluded. 
 
The program's definition of active treatment does not automatically exclude from 
coverage services rendered to patients who have conditions that ordinarily result in 
progressive physical and/or mental deterioration.  Although patients with such diagnosis 
will most commonly be receiving custodial care, they may also receive services that meet 
the program's definition of active treatment (e.g., where a patient with Alzheimer's 
disease or Pick's disease received services designed to alleviate the effects of paralysis, 
epileptic seizures, or some other neurological symptom, or where a patient in the terminal 
stages of any disease received life-supportive care).  A period of hospitalization during 
which services of this kind were furnished would be regarded as a period of active 
treatment. 
 
30.2.3 - Services Supervised and Evaluated by a Physician  (Rev. 59, Issued: 11-09-06, Effective: 01-01-05, Implementation: 12-04-06) 
 
The types of services which meet the above requirements would include not only 
psychotherapy, drug therapy, and electroconvulsive therapy, but also such therapeutic 
activities as occupational therapy, recreational therapy, and milieu therapy, provided the 
therapeutic activities are expected to result in improvement in the patient's condition.  If 
the only activities prescribed for the patient are primarily diversional in nature, (i.e., to 
provide some social or recreational outlet for the patient), it would not be regarded as 
treatment to improve the patient's condition.  In many large hospitals these adjunctive 
services are present and part of the life experience of every patient.  In a case where 
milieu therapy, (or one of the other therapeutic activities is involved), it is particularly 
important that this therapy be a planned program for the particular patient and not one 
where life in the hospital is designated as milieu therapy. 
 
In addition, the administration of antidepressant or tranquilizing drugs that are expected 
to significantly alleviate a patient's psychotic or neurotic symptoms would be termed 
active treatment (assuming that the other elements of the definitions are met).  However, 
the administration of a drug or drugs does not necessarily constitute active treatment. 
 
Physician participation in the services is an essential ingredient of active treatment.  The 
services of qualified individuals other than physicians, e.g., social workers, occupational 
therapists, group therapists, attendants, etc., must be prescribed and directed by a 
physician to meet the specific psychiatric needs of the individual.  In short, the physician 
must serve as a source of information and guidance for all members of the therapeutic 
team who work directly with the patient in various roles.  It is the responsibility of the 
physician to periodically evaluate the therapeutic program and determine the extent to 
which treatment goals are being realized and whether changes in direction or emphasis 
are needed.  Such evaluation should be made on the basis of periodic consultations and 
conferences with therapists, reviews of the patient's medical record, and regularly 
scheduled patient interviews, at least once per week. 
 
When the physician periodically evaluates the therapeutic program to determine the 
extent to which treatment goals are being realized and whether changes in direction or 
emphasis are needed (based on consultations and conferences with therapists, review of 
the patient's progress as recorded on the medical record and the physician's periodic 
conversations with the patient), active treatment would be indicated.  A finding that a 
patient is not receiving active treatment will not in itself preclude payment for physicians' 
services under Medicare Part B.  As long as the professional services rendered by the 
physician are reasonable and necessary for the care of the patient, such services would be 
reimbursable under the medical insurance program. 
 
30.3 - Treatment Plan 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19) 
 
The services must be provided in accordance with an individualized program of treatment 
or diagnosis developed by a physician in conjunction with staff members of appropriate  other disciplines on the basis of a thorough evaluation of the patient's -strengths and 
disabilities.  The plan of treatment must be recorded in the patient's medical record in 
accordance with 42 CFR 412.27(c)(3) and the Conditions of Participation for Hospitals in 
42 CFR 482.61. 
 
30.3.1 - Individualized Treatment or Diagnostic Plan 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19) 
 
In accordance with 42 CFR 412.27(c)(3) and 42 CFR 482.61(c), each patient must have 
an individual comprehensive treatment plan that must be based on an inventory of the 
patients strengths and disabilities.  The written plan must include 
 
(1)  A substantiated diagnosis; 
 
(2)  Short-term and long-range goals; 
 
(3)  The specific treatment modalities utilized; 
 
(4)  The responsibilities of each member of the treatment team; and 
 
(5)  Adequate documentation to justify the diagnosis and the treatment and 
rehabilitation activities carried out. 
 
The treatment furnished to the patient should be documented in the medical record in 
such a manner and with such frequency as to assure that all active therapeutic efforts are 
included.  The documentation should provide a full picture of the therapy administered 
and an assessment of the patient's reaction to it. 
 
30.3.2 - Services Expected to Improve the Condition or for Purpose of 
Diagnosis 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19) 
 
In accordance with 42 CFR 424.14(b)(1) and 42 CFR 424.14(c)(1), the physician must 
include in all certifications and recertifications that the services provided could 
reasonably be expected to improve the patient's condition or are for the purpose of 
diagnostic study.  It is not necessary that a course of therapy have as its goal the 
restoration of the patient to a level which would permit discharge from the institution 
although the treatment must, at a minimum, be designed both to reduce or control the 
patient's psychotic or neurotic symptoms that necessitated hospitalization and improve 
the patient's level of functioning. 
 
30.4 - Recording Progress 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19) 
 
In accordance with 42 CFR 412.27(c)(4) and 42 CFR 482.61(d), progress notes must be 
recorded by the doctor of medicine or osteopathy responsible for the care of the patient as  specified in  482.12(c), by a nurse, social worker and, when appropriate, others 
significantly involved in active treatment modalities.  The frequency of progress notes is 
determined by the condition of the patient but must be recorded at least weekly for the 
first two months and at least once a month thereafter and must contain recommendations 
for revisions in the treatment plan as indicated as well as precise assessment of the 
patients progress in accordance with the original or revised treatment plan. 
 
As outlined above in 30 of this chapter, consistent with sound clinical practice (and the 
hospital conditions of participation at 482.24(c)(1)), all medical records, including 
progress notes, should be legible and complete, and should be promptly signed and dated 
by the person (identified by name and discipline) who is responsible for ordering, 
providing, or evaluating the service furnished. 
 
30.5 - Discharge Planning and Discharge Summary 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19) 
 
In accordance with 42 CFR 412.27(c)(5) and 482.61(e), the record of each patient who 
has been discharged must have a discharge summary that includes a recapitulation of the 
patients hospitalization and recommendations from appropriate services concerning 
follow-up or aftercare as well as a brief summary of the patients condition on discharge. 
 
40 - Personnel Requirements 
(Rev. 59, Issued: 11-09-06, Effective: 01-01-05, Implementation: 12-04-06) 
 
IPFs must have adequate numbers of qualified professional and supportive staff, 
according to 42 CFR 412.27 and 42 CFR 482.62. 
 
IPFs must employ or undertake to provide adequate numbers of qualified professional, 
technical, and consultative personnel to: 
 
(1)  Evaluate patients; 
 
(2)  Formulate written individualized, comprehensive treatment plans; 
 
(3)  Provide active treatment measures; and  
 
(4)  Engage in discharge planning. 
 
Doctors of medicine or osteopathy and other appropriate professional personnel must be 
available to provide necessary medical and surgical diagnostic and treatment services.  If 
medical and surgical diagnostic and treatment services are not available within the 
institution, the institution must have an agreement with an outside source of these 
services to ensure that they are immediately available or a satisfactory agreement must be 
established for transferring patients to a general hospital that participates in the Medicare 
program. 
  40.1 - Director of Inpatient Psychiatric Services; Medical Staff 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19) 
 
In accordance with 42 CFR 412.27(d)(2) and 42 CFR 482.62(b), inpatient psychiatric 
services must be under the supervision of a clinical director, service chief, or equivalent 
who is qualified to provide the leadership required for an intensive treatment program.  
The number and qualifications of doctors of medicine and osteopathy must be adequate 
to provide essential psychiatric services. 
 
  (1)  The clinical director, service chief, or equivalent must meet the training and 
experience requirements for examination by the American Board of Psychiatry and 
Neurology or the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry. 
 
  (2)  The director must monitor and evaluate the quality and appropriateness of 
services and treatment provided by the medical staff. 
 
40.2 - Nursing Services 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19) 
 
In accordance with 42 CFR 412.27(d)(3) and 42 CFR 482.62(d), IPFs must have a 
qualified director of psychiatric nursing services.  In addition to the director of nursing, 
there must be adequate numbers of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and 
mental health workers to provide nursing care necessary under each patients active 
treatment program and to maintain progress notes on each patient. 
 
  (1)  The director of psychiatric nursing services must be a registered nurse who 
has a masters degree in psychiatric or mental health nursing, or its equivalent from a 
school of nursing accredited by the National League for Nursing, or be qualified by 
education and experience in the care of the mentally ill.  The director must demonstrate 
competence to participate in interdisciplinary formulation of individual treatment plans; 
to give skilled nursing care and therapy; and to direct, monitor, and evaluate the nursing 
care furnished. 
 
  (2)  The staffing pattern must ensure the availability of a registered nurse 24 hours 
each day.  There must be adequate numbers of registered nurses, licensed practical 
nurses, and mental health workers to provide the nursing care necessary 
under each patients active treatment program. 
 
50 - Psychological Services 
(Rev. 59, Issued: 11-09-06, Effective: 01-01-05, Implementation: 12-04-06) 
 
The IPF must provide or have available psychological services to meet the needs of the 
patients.  The services must be furnished in accordance with acceptable standards of 
practice, service objectives, and established policies and procedures, according to 42 CFR 
412.27 and 42 CFR 482.62. 
  60 - Social Services 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19) 
 
In accordance with 42 CFR 412.27 and 42 CFR 482.62, there must be a director of social 
services who monitors and evaluates the quality and appropriateness of social services 
furnished.  The services must be furnished in accordance with accepted standards of 
practice and established policies and procedures.. 
 
1.  The director of the social work department or service must have a Masters degree 
from an accredited school of social work or must be qualified by education and 
experience in the social services needs of the mentally ill.  If the director does not 
hold a Masters degree in social work, at least one staff member must have this 
qualification. 
 
2.  Social service staff responsibilities must include, but are not limited to, 
participating in discharge planning, arranging for follow-up care, and developing 
mechanisms for exchange of appropriate information with sources outside the 
hospital. 
 
70 - Therapeutic Activities 
(Rev. 59, Issued: 11-09-06, Effective: 01-01-05, Implementation: 12-04-06) 
 
According to 42 CFR 412.27 and 42 CFR 482.62 IPFs  must provide a therapeutic 
activities program. 
 
  (1)  The program must be appropriate to the needs and interests of patients and be 
directed toward restoring and maintaining optimal levels of physical and psychosocial 
functioning. 
 
  (2)  The number of qualified therapists, support personnel, and consultants must 
be adequate to provide comprehensive therapeutic activities consistent with each patients 
active treatment program. 
 
80 - Benefit Limits in Psychiatric Hospitals 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19) 
 
The psychiatric benefit application (190 days) applies to freestanding psychiatric 
hospitals per 42 CFR 409.62.  The 190-lifetime limitation does not apply to certified 
psychiatric distinct part units.  Section 409.62 states, There is a lifetime maximum of 
190 days on inpatient psychiatric hospital services available to any beneficiary.  
Therefore, once an individual receives benefits for 190 days of care in a psychiatric 
hospital, no further benefits of that type are available to that individual. 
 
90 - Benefits Exhaust 
(Rev. 253, Issued: 12- 14-18, Effective: 01-16-19, Implementation: 01- 16-19)   
Effective December 3, 2007, for payment purposes, an IPF discharge occurs when 
benefits exhaust, and the benefits exhaust date will substitute for the discharge date.  The 
claim will be paid either on the discharge date if the benefits are available or on benefit 
exhaust date if the discharge is after the benefits exhaust date.  When the services actually 
are provided, the PRICER version used to price claims for the time will be used.  No 
pay/110 TOBs are allowed instead of continually adjusting the claims (117 TOB) until 
actual discharge occurs once benefits exhaust. 
 
Under the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA), the Provider Statistical 
and Reimbursement (PS&R) report used the benefits exhaust date as the discharge date.  
This changed when the IPF PPS was implemented, and the 'actual' discharge date was 
used.  The days stay with the year they occurred, making it easier for the PS&R report 
(especially during the blend period) to settle the cost report.  This means that: 
 
1.  Claims will be settled on the appropriate cost report; 
 
2.  The appropriate PPS-TEFRA blend percentage will be paid; 
 
3.  Patients with long lengths of stay will be counted on the correct PS&R report; 
and 
 
4.  The PRICER version used will be the one in effect at the time the services 
were provided. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Transmittals Issued for this Chapter 
Rev #  Issue Date  Subject  Impl Date  CR# 
R253BP 12/14/2018  Updates to the Inpatient Psychiatric Facility  01/16/2019  11062 
Benefit Policy Manual 
R223BP 05/13/2016  Clarification of Inpatient Psychiatric  08/15/2016  9522 
Facilities (IPF) Requirements for 
Certification, Recertification and 
Delayed/Lapsed Certification and 
Recertification 
R194BP 09/03/2014  Pub. 100-02 Language-Only Update for  Upon  8605 
ICD-10  Implementation 
of ICD-10 
R181BP 03/14/2014  Pub. 100-02 Language-Only Update for  10/01/2014  8605 
ICD-10  Rescinded and replaced by 
Transmittal 194 
R69BP  04/27/2007  Change to the Inpatient Psychiatric Facility  12/03/2007  5474 
Prospective Payment System (IPF PPS) 
Discharge Bill 
R59BP  11/09/2006  Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Prospective  12/04/2006  5287 
Payment System (IPF PPS) 
R56BP  11/03/2006  Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Prospective  12/04/2006  5287 
Payment System (IPF PPS) 
R1BP  10/01/2003  Initial Publication of Manual  NA  NA 
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