• The program or facility notifies the applicant that an application is being submitted on his or her behalf, and the applicant does not object. In these circumstances, a mental health professional working for the program or facility must document on the application the date the applicant was notified about submission of the application and the applicant's response.
• The program or facility believes that the applicant is incapable and has filed a petition for guardianship with the court. In these circumstances, the program or facility must attach a copy of the petition to the application.

   

  Where Can an Application be Submitted?
  
  An application for DMH Continuing Care Services must be delivered, mailed or faxed to the DMH Area or Site Office with responsibility for the community where the applicant, or legally authorized representative (LAR) in the case of a minor, resides at the time of application. 

   

  Application materials are available on this website and in all DMH Area and Site Offices, acute inpatient psychiatric facilities, and in many community programs throughout the Commonwealth.  Applications are available in English.  DMH can provide translators for other languages if necessary and provide other assistance as needed.  Please call the DMH Central Office in Boston at (617) 626-8000 if you need translation assistance.  If you are visually impaired, please call our TTY phone number at (617) 727-9842. 

   

  When is an Application Considered Complete?
  
  Upon receipt of an application, the Area Office or designated Site Office will start an Application File for the individual and acknowledge receipt of the application.

  1. For adults, children and adolescents, DMH may request an interview and/or clinical evaluation to supplement and/or clarify information in the application.

  2. DMH requires an interview(s) to administer the Child Adolescent Functional Assessment Scale (CAFAS).

  3. A completed adult application must also include the form entitled, "Clinical Assessment of Risk, Behavior, and Rehabilitation Needs of Adults" (CARBRN).

  4. An application will be considered complete when, in the opinion of DMH, there is sufficient information included to evaluate the application.

  5. For up to 40 days after receiving the application, DMH will make reasonable efforts to obtain supporting information needed to determine whether the applicant meets clinical criteria, and will arrange for an interview and/or clinical evaluation to gather sufficient information to make an informed decision.

  6. If sufficient information is not available after 40 days, the Area Director or designee may grant an extension of up to 30 days.

   

  When Will a Decision be Made?

   

  The DMH Area Director or designee will make decisions regarding eligibility according to the following timelines:

  1. When the applicant is hospitalized through the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership (or successor managed care organization under contract to the Division of Medical Assistance) at the time application is made, a decision on eligibility will be rendered by DMH within five (5) days after receiving sufficient information.

  2. When the applicant is hospitalized through any other insurer at the time application is made, a decision on eligibility will be rendered by DMH within ten (10) days after receiving sufficient information.

  3. For all other applicants, a decision on eligibility will be rendered within twenty (20) days after receiving sufficient information.

  4. All decisions must be made within ninety (90) days after DMH receives the application.

   

  When is an Application Considered Withdrawn?

   

  An application is considered withdrawn if:

  1. an applicant informs DMH that he or she is withdrawing an application before a determination is made; or

  2. an applicant does not respond to DMH communications/contact regarding the application.

   

  DMH will make reasonable efforts to reach out to the applicant for 30 days after not receiving a response before considering an application withdrawn.

   

  When are Short-term Services Indicated?

   

  Short-term services, which may include DMH case management or other DMH-operated or contracted services, may be provided to individuals who have applied for DMH continuing care services while their applications are being processed.

   

  The decision to provide the short-term services is made by the Area Director or designee, and is based on an assessment of the needs and circumstances of the applicant. Short-term services may be provided for up to 60 days, but provision of these short-term services does not indicate that the application will be approved, nor is there an assurance that these services will continue if the application is approved

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source of information: yahoo.com, mass.gov/?...+and+Divisions&L3=Department+of+Mental+Health&sid=Eeohhs2