DMHSAS Info Memo 2010-06

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STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Health Services
Division of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
DMHSAS Info Memo Series 2010-06
Date: June 23, 2010

Index Title: Changes in CMS Certification of the Adult Assessment and Treatment Unit at Mendota Mental Health Institute

To:  Listserv

For:
Human Services Area Coordinator
Bureau Directors
County Departments of Community Programs Directors
County Departments of Developmental Disabilities Services Directors
County Departments of Human Services Directors
County Departments of Social Services Directors
County Mental Health Coordinators
Tribal Chairpersons / Human Services Facilitators

From:  John Easterday, Ph.D, Administrator

Subject:  Changes in CMS Certification of the Adult Assessment and Treatment Unit at Mendota Mental Health Institute

Document Summary

Effective June 2, 2010, the Adult Assessment and Treatment Unit (AATU) at Mendota Mental Health Institute (MMHI) is no longer certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The two remaining MMHI civil units, the Civil Secure Treatment Unit (CSTU) and the Geropsychiatric Treatment Unit (GTU), continue to be CMS certified.

Background

In response to recent survey findings, CMS has ruled that the treatment being offered on AATU is not in compliance with the Special Medical Record Requirements for Psychiatric Hospitals. CMS' primary concern related to active treatment. Specifically, though treatment groups and activities are being offered every day on AATU, the surveyors identified a need for more patient participation in groups versus individual treatment activities.

Consequence for Federal Reimbursement

The Medicare and Medicaid programs will not make payment for inpatient hospital services provided to AATU patients admitted on or after June 2, 2010. Accordingly, for patients admitted to AATU on or after June 2, 2010, the county that approves the admission will be billed the daily rate until discharge or transfer to a unit with CMS certified beds. For patients admitted or transferred to AATU prior to June 2, 2010, payment may continue to be made for up to 30 days of covered services furnished on or after June 2, 2010. Federal reimbursement for AATU's patient population primarily relates to those patients under age 22 and over age 64.

MMHI intends to make changes to AATU's programming and apply for recertification of the AATU beds as soon as possible. In the meantime, AATU and Mendota Mental Health Institute will continue to receive patients; and counties may also choose to utilize other facilities for inpatient hospitalization such as Winnebago Mental Health Institute.

For further information, please contact the Civil Program Director, Paul Lane at (608) 301-1143.

Contact Persons:

Greg Van Rybroek, Director
Mendota Mental Health Institute
301 Troy Drive, Madison, WI 53704
Telephone: (608) 301-1042
Fax: (608) 301-1390
Email: Gregory.VanRybroek@wisconsin.gov

Thomas Speech, Director
Winnebago Mental Health Institute
P.O. Box 9, Winnebago, WI 54985-0009
Telephone: (920) 235-4910, ext.2550
Fax: (920) 237-2043
Email: Thomas.Speech@wisconsin.gov

Last Revised:  September 13, 2010