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OHCA Policies and Rules

317:30-5-241.11.  Day treatment program

[Issued 09-12-22]

Day treatment programs are for the stabilization of children and adolescents with severe emotional and/or behavioral disturbances. Treatment is designed for children who have difficulty functioning in mainstream community settings such as classrooms, and who need a higher intensity of services than outpatient counseling provides. Treatment is time limited and includes therapeutically intensive clinical services geared towards reintegration to the home, school, and community.

(1) Qualified practitioners.  All services in day treatment are provided by a team, which must be composed of one (1) or more of the following participants: physician, registered nurse, licensed behavioral health professional (LBHP) or licensure candidate, a case manager, or other certified behavioral health/substance abuse paraprofessional staff. Services are directed by an LBHP.

(2) Qualified providers.  Provider agencies for day treatment must be accredited to provide day treatment services by The Joint Commission (TJC), the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC) or The Council on Accreditation (COA).

(3) Limitations.  Services must be offered at a minimum of four (4) days per week at least three (3) hours per day. Behavioral health rehabilitation group size is limited to a maximum of eight (8) individuals as clinically appropriate given diagnostic and developmental functioning. Children under age six (6) are not eligible for behavioral health rehabilitation services unless a prior authorization for children ages four (4) and five (5) has been granted by OHCA or its designated agent based on a finding of medical necessity.

(4) Service requirements.  On-call crisis intervention services must be available twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week (When members served have psychiatric needs, psychiatric services are available which include the availability of a psychiatrist twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week. A psychiatrist can be available either on site or on call but must be available at all times). Day treatment program will provide assessment and diagnostic services and/or medication monitoring, when necessary.

(A) Treatment activities are to include the following every week:

(i) Family therapy at least one (1) hour per week (additional hours of family therapy may be substituted for other day treatment services);

(ii) Group therapy at least two (2) hours per week; and

(iii) Individual therapy at least one (1) hour per week.

(B) Additional services are to include at least one (1) of the following services per day:

(i) Medication training and support (nursing) once monthly if on medications;

(ii) Behavioral health rehabilitation services to include alcohol and other drug education if the child meets the criteria established in OAC 317:30-5-241.3 and is clinically necessary and appropriate except for children under age six (6), unless a prior authorization has been granted for children ages four (4) and five (5);

(iii) Behavioral health case management as needed and part of weekly hours for member;

(iv) Occupational therapy as needed and part of weekly hours for member; and

(v) Expressive therapy as needed and part of weekly hours for the member.

(5) Documentation requirements.  Service plans are required every three (3) months. Records must be documented according to OAC 317:30-5-248.

(6) Reimbursement.  Day treatment program services are reimbursed pursuant to the OHCA fee schedule based on the type and level of practitioner employed by the agency. All rates are published on the Agency's website www.oklahoma.gov/ohca.

Disclaimer. The OHCA rules found on this Web site are unofficial. The official rules are published by the Oklahoma Secretary of State Office of Administrative Rules as Title 317 of the Oklahoma Administrative Code. To order an official copy of these rules, contact the Office of Administrative Rules at (405) 521-4911.