Eating Disorder Referral Process: DMH System of Care Providers
A. Mental Health Provider submits request for Higher Level of Care (HLOC) Eating Disorder Treatment to Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health (DMH). Request is submitted to ED_ECT_Auths@dmh.lacounty.gov along with the requisite clinical information listed in item B below.
Note: HLOC Eating Disorder Treatment includes Inpatient, Residential, Partial Hospitalization or Intensive Outpatient Levels of Care.
B. Mental Health Provider submits the following clinical documentation at the time of making the request for HLOC Eating Disorder Treatment:
1) Demographic and Contact Information (includes caregiver information for minors)
2) Insurance Information (e.g. copy/image of client’s Medi-Cal card or client’s Medi-Cal number)
3) Current Eating Disorder symptoms/associated behaviors.
Note: Please include the frequency of the eating disorder symptoms/associated behaviors (e.g. number of times per day/week/month the current eating disorder symptoms/behaviors are present/exhibited), and intensity (e.g. Mild, Moderate, Severe), and duration (e.g. 15 minutes or 60 minutes, or some other time period the current eating disorder symptoms/behaviors are present/exhibited
4) Current impairment in functioning related to the current Eating Disorder symptoms/associated behaviors as well as impairment in functioning related to any other mental health symptoms currently experienced
Note: Please indicate if the current level of functioning is different from past level of functioning and if so, please describe the difference
Note: Please indicate if the current level of functioning is different from past level of functioning and if so, please describe the difference
5) History (include Onset) of Eating Disorder symptoms/associated behaviors
6) Additional current mental health and historical mental health symptoms/associated behaviors
7) History of assaultive behavior
8) History of involvement with the legal system
9) Current diagnosis/diagnoses
10) History of Eating Disorder Treatment (e.g. Hospitalizations, other Higher LOC Eating Disorder Treatment, Outpatient)
11) History of other mental health treatment received and/or currently receiving
12) Level of Care for Eating Disorder Treatment (e.g. Inpatient, Residential, Partial Hospitalization, or Intensive Outpatient) recommended by the referring Mental Health Provider/Treatment Team
13) Medications and purpose for medications (e.g. psychotic symptoms, mood stabilization, etc.)
14) Level of Social and Family Support
15) Any other relevant information that would assist with the decision-making process
16) Current BMI
17) Current Labs
NOTE: If items 1 - 15 are clearly documented with the requested specificity in the Full Assessment completed by the referring Mental Health Provider, the Full Assessment document can be submitted.
C. DMH staff will confirm receipt of request and contact the Mental Health Provider should additional information be needed.
D. DMH Psychiatrist will review all submitted documentation to inform determination of Level of Care needed (e.g. Inpatient, Residential, Partial Hospitalization, or Intensive Outpatient, or other services). Note: If additional information is needed, a clinical consultation may need to be scheduled with the DMH Psychiatrist.
E. DMH staff will contact the Mental Health Provider to inform of authorization determination. If HLOC Eating Disorder Treatment is approved, information regarding the specific treatment program authorized will be provided.
F. The HLOC Eating Disorder Treatment Provider will contact the client, provide information about their admission process, and coordinate placement.
G. The HLOC Eating Disorder Treatment Provider, during the discharge planning process from the HLOC Eating Disorder Treatment Program, will coordinate with the Mental Health Provider for the provision of Outpatient Mental Health Services upon discharge.