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The Department of Human Services (DHS) is pleased to announce a Level of Care (LOC) update for adult mental health providers. Following meaningful engagement with a variety of external stakeholders, DHS has created a Necessity of Care process that will reduce administrative burden and decrease barriers for adults, ages 18 and older, seeking to begin certain services.
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Effective 11/28/22, the DHS Commissioner has approved:
- removal of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS) 2.0 (NOTE: The WHODAS will no longer be an approved Level of Care tool after 12/31/22)
- continuation of the Level of Care Utilization System (LOCUS)
- addition of the Initial Assessment and Referral (IAR) (IAR Guidance)
- addition of the Necessity of Care process (more details below)
DHS has developed the Necessity of Care process that allows for the mental health professional (MHP), using their clinical judgement, to document the appropriate LOC within the Diagnostic Assessment (DA). The requirement for MHPs to complete a separate LOC tool to determine appropriate services for adults has been eliminated.
The new documents and process are outlined on the Level of Care Assessment site: Mental Health Services - Level of Care Assessment (state.mn.us). An FAQ document can also be found on this DHS webpage under the heading “Help With” with the title “Necessity of Care Service Recommendation Referral FAQs.”
DHS is preparing a multipurpose document entitled “Necessity of Care/Referral Checklist” that includes eligibility criteria for each of the impacted services. When posted to the DHS website in mid-December 2022, it will appear on the Level of Care Assessment and Necessity of Care Recommendation or Referral webpage. Providers may use this document in different ways. For example, use it to: 1) create job aids/quick guides for MHPs, 2) create a custom template compatible with organizational, site-specific electronic health records and/or 3) complete and attach to the DA.
For additional information or questions about the Level of Care update, send a message to ScreeningToolCommittee.LOC.dhs@state.mn.us.
About the Behavioral Health e-Memo
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For more information about Behavioral Health Services in Minnesota, visit:
Children’s mental health / Adult mental health / Substance use disorder / Resources for partners and providers
For more information about this e-Memo please feel free to contact us at youropinionmatters.dhs@state.mn.us.
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