Section 440IAC9-2-11. Outpatient services

   (a) Managed care providers and community mental health centers shall provide or arrange for the provision of outpatient services according to the standards set out in this section. Managed care providers and community mental health centers shall ensure that their subcontractors who provide outpatient services also meet the same standards.

  (b) Outpatient services include assessment and treatment (counseling and intensive outpatient services). These services provide a comprehensive, coordinated, and structured set of therapeutic interactions that may vary in the level of intensity, according to the level of functioning and treatment needs of the consumer.

  (c) Each agency shall ensure accessibility of outpatient services. The agency shall have the following, at a minimum:

(1) Established office hours, including evening hours or weekend hours, or both.

(2) Outpatient services available within an hour's travel time throughout the agency's primary service area.

(3) Linkages to the other components of the continuum of care, including the following:

(A) Crisis intervention.

(B) Individualized treatment planning.

(C) Medication evaluation and monitoring.

(D) Case management.

(E) Day treatment.

(F) Acute stabilization.

(G) Residential services.

(H) Family support services.

(I) Services to prevent unnecessary and inappropriate treatment and hospitalization, including utilization review.

  (d) Each agency shall develop a process to ensure appropriate access, consonant with each consumer's needs, to intake/screening and comprehensive assessment, leading to the development of the individualized treatment plan with the consumer, and appropriate treatment.

  (e) Assessment and treatment services for seriously emotionally disturbed children shall include the family, foster family, or legal guardian in the assessment and treatment process.

  (f) Assessment and treatment services for addicted children shall only include the family, foster family, or legal guardian in the assessment and treatment process if the minor consents to the notification and participation in accordance with IC 12-23-12-1 and 42 CFR 2.

  (g) The type and intensity of services provided to an adult consumer shall be based upon the clinical judgment of competent staff and the consumer's preference of services and clinician.

  (h) The agency shall set standards for clinicians providing outpatient assessment and treatment services that include required levels of training, experience, competencies, and clinical supervision.

  (i) Outpatient treatment services shall consist of a combination of individual, group, and family therapeutic interventions that promote the achievement of the individual's treatment plan.

  (j) Outpatient treatment services shall refer consumers with health or legal issues to appropriate medical or legal resources and assist to coordinate this care when appropriate.

  (k) Outpatient addiction assessment shall include screening for co-occurring mental health problems and gambling disorders. If the assessment indicates that there is a co-occurring disorder, the agency shall provide appropriate treatment or referral for the consumer.

  (l) Outpatient assessment for seriously mentally ill adults and seriously emotionally disturbed children shall include screening for co-occurring substance abuse and gambling disorders. If the assessment indicates that there is a co-occurring disorder, the agency shall provide appropriate treatment or referral for the consumer.

  (m) Intensive outpatient addiction treatment is a milieu of treatment with a combination of counseling and education activities consisting of sessions at least two (2) hours, three (3) days a week for a minimum of four (4) weeks.

  (n) Intensive outpatient addiction treatment shall include a relapse prevention plan appropriate to the needs and preferences of the consumer. This plan may include aftercare treatment or case management. (Division of Mental Health and Addiction; 440 IAC 9-2-11; filed Jan 2, 2003, 10:12 a.m.: 26 IR 1941; readopted filed Apr 7, 2008, 3:40 p.m.: 20080507-IR-440070745RFA; readopted filed Aug 11, 2014, 11:21 a.m.: 20140910-IR-440140240RFA)