(a) Initial length of stay.  The initial length of stay for acute inpatient mental health treatment is up to five calendar days and residential inpatient mental health treatment is up to ten calendar days.  Length of stay is the decision of the inpatient reviewer of APS Healthcare based upon information provided by the inpatient facility staff at the completion of the assessment and ongoing treatment recommendations that will determine the number of days required to resolve the identified presenting problems.

(b) Extension.

• (1) Inpatient.  An extension for acute inpatient mental health treatment is up to five calendar days as determined by the inpatient reviewer, based upon the documented need for the extension of care.  A request for extension is made by staff of the treating facility via phone on or before the last business day of the current authorization for inpatient care. 
• (2) Residential.  An extension for residential mental health treatment is up to 30 calendar days.  The number of days allowed is determined by the inpatient reviewer, based on the level of impairment, severity, and chronicity of the symptoms present that meet the medical necessity criteria.  The treating facility submits the request for an extension three calendar days before the end of the current authorization. 

(c) Reconsideration request.  A reconsideration request for the length of stay is made to APS Healthcare by the Child Welfare (CW) worker, per OAC 340:75-16-30, when the inpatient reviewer denies an extension and the CW worker or the inpatient psychiatric facility has additional information that was not considered in the extension decision by the inpatient reviewer.