Source: http://gilariverrbha.org/pmsect5-5.htm
Timestamp: 2019-02-17 16:44:16
Document Index: 235953432

Matched Legal Cases: ['§1', '§ 36', '§ 12', '§ 36', '§ 36', '§ 41']

Gila River Regional Behavioral Health Authority Provider Manual Section 5.5
Section 5.5 Notice and Appeal Requirements (SMI and Non-SMI/Non-Title XIX/XXI)
5.5.1	Introduction
5.5.2 Terms
5.5.3 Procedures
5.5.3-A. General requirements for notice and appeals
5.5.3-B. Notice requirements for persons applying for or who have been determined to have a Serious Mental Illness
5.5.3-C. Notice requirements for Non-Title XIX/XXI/ Non-SMI populations
5.5.3-D. Filing an appeal
5.5.3-E. Appeal process for persons applying for or who have been determined to have a Serious Mental Illness
5.5.3-F. Appeals for Non-Title XIX/XXI/ Non-SMI populations
5.5.3-G. Behavioral health provider responsibilities
5.5.4 References
This section applies to notice and appeal requirements for:
Persons who have been determined to have a Serious Mental Illness (SMI);
Persons who are applying for an SMI eligibility determination; and
Behavioral health recipients who do not have a SMI and who are not Title XIX or Title XXI eligible.
The notice requirements and the appeal process for persons who are Title XIX/XXI eligible are described in Section 5.1, Notice Requirements and Appeal Process for Title XIX and Title XXI Eligible Persons.
Persons who have been determined to have a SMI and who are receiving non-Title XIX/XXI (state funded) services must only receive notice of, and may only appeal, pursuant to this section, decisions regarding those services that are covered benefits or services established by the State. The notice and appeal requirements described within this section do not apply to actions or decisions that deny, suspend, reduce, or terminate a person’s or persons’ services as a result of change in state or federal law which require an automatic change, or in order to avoid exceeding the state funding legislatively appropriated for those services or benefits.
Persons who are evaluated for an eligibility determination or who have been determined to have a SMI must be provided notice under certain circumstances. Notice facilitates a behavioral health recipient to exercise his/her right to appeal a decision. This section describes those circumstances when notice must be provided.
Persons who are evaluated for an eligibility determination or who have been determined to have a SMI can appeal certain decisions. These include, but are not limited to:
Decisions regarding an SMI eligibility determination;
Decisions regarding the need for, the timely provision of, or the continuation of behavioral health services; and
Decisions regarding charges or co-payments for behavioral health services.
Behavioral health providers must be aware of general requirements guiding notice and appeal rights for the populations covered in this section. Behavioral health providers may have direct responsibility for designated functions (i.e., sending notice) as determined by the RBHA and/or may be asked to provide assistance to persons who are exercising their rights to appeal.
How is time computed?
In computing any time prescribed or allowed in this section, the period begins the day after the act, event or decision occurs. If the period is 11 days or more, the time period must be calculated using calendar days, which means that weekends and legal holidays are counted. If however, the period of time is less than 11 days, the time period is calculated using working days, in which case, weekends and legal holidays must not be included in the computation. In either case, if the final day of the period is a weekend or legal holiday, the period is extended until the end of the next day that is not a weekend or a legal holiday.
Language, format and comprehensive clinical record requirements
Notice and related forms must be available in each prevalent, non-English language spoken in the RBHA’s geographic service area (GSA). As designated by the RBHA, behavioral health providers must provide free oral interpretation services to all persons who speak non-English languages for purposes of explaining the appeal process and/or information contained in the notice.
Notice and other written documents pertaining to the appeal process must be available in alternative formats, such as Braille, large font or enhanced audio and must take into consideration any special communication needs of the person applying for or receiving behavioral health services.
The provision of notice must be documented by placing a copy of the notice in the person’s comprehensive clinical record.
Delivery of notices and appeal decisions
All notices and appeal decisions must be personally delivered or mailed by certified mail to the required party, at their last known residence or place of business. In the event that it may be unsafe to contact the person at his or her home, or the person has indicated that he or she does not want to receive mail at home, the alternate methods identified by the person for communicating notices must be used.
Under what circumstances does a notice have to be provided?
For actions (see definition) related to Title XIX/XXI covered services, see Section 5.1, Notice Requirements and Appeal Process for Title XIX and Title XXI Eligible Persons.
The following provisions apply to notice requirements for persons determined to have a SMI and for persons for which an SMI eligibility determination is being considered:
Persons who are evaluated for an SMI eligibility determination must receive PM Attachment 5.5.1, Notice of SMI Grievance and Appeal Procedure, at the time of application.
PM Form 5.5.1, Notice of Decision and Right to Appeal must be provided to persons determined to have a serious mental illness or to persons applying for SMI services when:
Initial eligibility for SMI services is determined. The notice must be sent within 3 days of the eligibility determination;
A decision is made regarding fees or waivers;
The assessment report, service plan or individual treatment and discharge plan is developed, provided or reviewed;
A decision is made to modify the individual service plan, reduce, suspend or terminate any service that is a covered service funded through Non-Title XIX funds. In this case, notice must be provided at least 30 days prior to the effective date unless the person consents to the change in writing or a qualified clinician determines that the action is necessary to avoid a serious or immediate threat to the health or safety of the person receiving services or others;
A Pre-Admission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) determination in the context of either a preadmission screening or an annual resident review, which adversely affects the person.
Other notices that must be provided to persons determined to have a SMI
The following additional notices must be provided to persons determined to have a serious mental illness or persons applying for SMI services:
Notice of legal rights for persons determined to have SMI (see ADHS Form MH-211) at the time of admission to a behavioral health provider agency for evaluation or treatment. The person receiving this notice must acknowledge in writing the receipt of the notice and the behavioral health provider must retain the acknowledgement in the person’s comprehensive clinical record. All behavioral health providers must post ADHS Form MH-211, “Notice of Legal Rights for Persons with Serious Mental Illness”, in both English and Spanish, so that it is readily visible to behavioral health recipients and visitors;
Notice of discrimination prohibited (ADHS Form MH-209), posted in English or Spanish, so that it is visible to persons visiting the agency, and a copy provided at the time of discharge from the behavioral health provider agency.
Who is responsible for providing the notice?
Following a decision requiring notice to a behavioral health recipient, the assigned Gila River Behavioral Health Clinician must ensure the communication of a notice to the person.
ADHS/DBHS sends notices to persons determined to have a SMI who are enrolled with a Tribal RBHA when making a decision on behalf of the Tribal RBHA, and persons adversely affected by a PASRR determination.
Behavioral health recipients who do not have a determination of SMI and who are not Title XIX or Title XXI eligible are not required to receive notice under any circumstances.
Appeals that are related to a RBHA or one of their contracted behavioral health providers’ decisions must be filed with the RBHA. Appeals that are related to a Tribal RBHA or one of their contracted behavioral health providers’ decisions and appeals that relate to PASRR determinations must be filed with and processed by the ADHS/DBHS Office of Grievance and Appeals.
Title XIX/XXI eligible persons applying for or who have been determined to have a SMI and who are appealing an action (see definition) affecting Title XIX/XXI covered services may elect to use either the Title XIX/XXI appeal process (see Section 5.1, Notice Requirements and Appeal Process for Title XIX and Title XXI Eligible Persons) or the appeal process for persons determined to have a SMI described within subsection 5.5.7-E.
What kinds of appeals exist?
There are two appeal processes applicable to this section:
Appeals of persons applying for an eligibility determination or who have been determined to have a SMI; and
Appeals for other covered service related issues.
The following persons and entities may file an appeal:
An adult applying for or receiving behavioral health services, their legal guardian, guardian ad litem, designated representative or attorney if Special Assistance, the person meeting Special Assistance needs;
A legal guardian or parent who is the legal custodian of a person under the age of 18 years;
A court appointed guardian ad litem or an attorney of a person under the age of 18 years;
A state or governmental agency that provides behavioral health services through an Interagency Service Agreement/Intergovernmental Agreement (ISA/IGA) with ADHS, but which does not have legal custody or control of the person to the extent specified in the ISA/IGA between the agency and the ADHS; and
A provider, acting on the behavioral health recipient’s behalf and with the written authorization of the person.
What are the timeframes for filing an appeal?
Appeals must be filed orally or in writing with the responsible RBHA, or ADHS/DBHS when required, within 60 days from the date of the decision being appealed. Late appeals must be accepted upon showing good cause.
Where must appeals be directed?
For oral appeals to ADHS/DBHS: Call ADHS/DBHS at this toll free number-1-800-867-5808 or (602) 364-4575 within Maricopa County.
To submit a written appeal to ADHS/DBHS: Mail the appeal to 150 North 18th Avenue, Suite 230, Phoenix, Arizona 85007.
An appeal may be filed concerning one or more of the following:
The assessment report, and recommended services in the service plan or individual treatment and discharge plan;
The denial, reduction, suspension or termination of any service that is covered service funded through Non-Title XIX funds2;
Findings of the clinical team with regard to the person’s competency, capacity to make decisions, need for guardianship or other protective services or need for Special Assistance;
A PASRR determination, in the context of either a preadmission screening or an annual resident review, which adversely affects the person.
A person, or a provider on the person’s behalf, may request an expedited appeal for the denial or termination of crisis or emergency services, the denial of admission to or the termination of a continuation of inpatient services or for good cause.
Continuation of services for appeals involving persons determined to have a SMI
For persons determined to have a SMI, the person’s behavioral health services will continue while an appeal of a modification to or termination of a covered behavioral health service is pending unless:
A qualified clinician determines the modification or termination is necessary to avoid a serious or immediate threat to the health or safety of the person or another individual; or
The person or, if applicable, the person’s guardian, agrees in writing to the modification or termination.
5.5.3-F. General Appeals for Non-Title XIX/XXI/ Non-SMI populations
Based on available funding, a person who is Non-Title XIX/XXI and Non-SMI may file an appeal of a decision that is related to a determination of need for covered service (e.g. modification to previously authorized services for a non-Title XIX/XXI eligible person).
In these circumstances, there is no continuation of services available during the appeal process.
While providers are not directly responsible for the resolution of appeals, they are required to actively participate in the process as follows:
Provide information deemed to be necessary by the RBHA, ADHS/DBHS or the Office of Administrative Hearings (e.g., documents and other evidence); and
Cooperate and participate as necessary throughout the appeal process.
Behavioral health providers must be available to assist a person in the filing of an appeal. For persons determined to have a SMI, the Office of Human Rights may be available to assist the person in filing as well as resolving the appeal.
Behavioral health providers must not retaliate against any persons who file appeals or interfere with a person’s right to file an appeal. Additionally, no punitive action may be taken against a behavioral health provider who supports a person’s appeal.
A.R.S.§1-254
A.R.S § 36-502.D
A.R.S. § 12-901 et.seq
A.R.S. § 36-111
A.R.S. § 36-3413
A.R.S. § 41-1061 et.seq
9 A.A.C. 1, Article 1
9 A.A.C. 21, Articles 2 and 4
ADHS/T/RBHA Contracts
ADHS/T/RBHA IGAs
Section 3.6, Member Handbook
Section 5.2, Member Complaints
Section 5.3, Grievances and Request for Investigation for Persons Determined to have a Serious Mental Illness
Section 5.4, Special Assistance for Person Determined to have a Serious Mental Illness (SMI)
Section 5.6, Provider Claims Disputes
5.5 Notice and Appeal Requirements (SMI and Non-SMI/Non-Title XIX/XXI)
Last Revised: 8/8/2013
Effective Date: 8/15/2013