New Processes for Referral to a Regional Mental Health Institute
A recent change in Tennessee’s mental health law (Title 33) makes all admissions to the State’s Regional Mental Health Institutes (RMHIs)* subject to the availability of suitable accommodations (i.e., an appropriate bed). This means that admissions to a RMHI will be delayed if the facility does not have such a bed. Thus, transportation to a RMHI should not occur without written verification that an appropriate bed is available at the RMHI. Based on the current overall bed capacity of the RMHIs, we do not anticipate that there will be difficulties in accessing a bed at a RMHI. However, as RMHI beds are reduced during FY 09/10, there may be times during which there may be delays in accessing an RMHI bed, but the Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (DMHDD) is committed to making every effort possible to minimize such delays.
Under the new law, the following changes will occur in the process for referring a person to a RMHI.
Referral Process:
- Before referring a person to a RMHI, the referral source should contact the RMHI’s Admission Office to determine whether there is a suitable available bed.
- If the RMHI has availability, the RMHI will provide a confirmation number to the referral source.
- If the RMHI does not have an available bed, the RMHI will offer to contact the other RMHIs to determine if there is a bed available elsewhere in the state.
- If another RMHI has an available bed, the referral source will be put in contact with that RMHI.
- Ifthere are no beds available at the other RMHIs or if the referral source declines the alternate referral, the RMHI will place the person on its waiting list. Waiting Lists:
- Before a person is placed on a waiting list, the referral source must provide contact information in order to be notified of the first available bed.
- Each RMHI will maintain waiting lists for persons referred from its catchment area.
- No person may be on the waiting lists for more than one RMHI.
- As beds become available, they will be offered to persons in the order in which they were placed on a waiting list.
- RMHIs will work their waiting lists on a daily basis and continue to check for bed availability at the other RMHIs to minimize the length of time a person waits for RMHI services.
- When a bed becomes available the RMHI will contact the referral source and provide a confirmation number which is to be give to the transportation agent. Transportation:
- Once a confirmation number is provided, the referral source will give the transportation agent a written statement verifying bed availability at the RMHI.
- If a transportation agent fails to provide the RMHI the written statement verifying bed availability (along with other required admission documents) then the cost of hospitalization will be charged to the transporting county. Admission Considerations:
- Verification of bed availability does not guarantee admission to the RMHI.
- Emergency involuntary admissions and voluntary admissions are still dependent on the person meeting admission criteria.
- The RMHI may also still refuse to admit a person who requires immediate medical attention and medical treatments/services which the RMHI is unable to provide.
* The Regional Mental Health Institutes are:
Lakeshore Mental Health Institute, Knoxville – Admissions Office Phone Number –
(865) 583 - 8764
Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute, Nashville – Admissions Office Phone Number –
(615) 902 - 7672
Western Mental Health Institute, Bolivar – Admissions Office Phone Number –
(731) 228 - 2110
Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute, Chattanooga – Admissions Office Phone Number –
(423) 785 - 3358
Memphis Mental Health Institute, Memphis – Admissions Office Phone Number –
(901) 577 - 1873
June 29, 2009
