Section 70.96A.097. Review of admission and inpatient treatment of minors—Determination of medical necessity—Department review—Minor declines necessary treatment—At-risk youth petition—Costs—Public funds.

(1) The department shall ensure that, for any minor admitted to inpatient treatment under RCW 70.96A.245, a review is conducted by a physician or chemical dependency counselor, as defined in rule by the department, who is employed by the department or an agency under contract with the department and who neither has a financial interest in continued inpatient treatment of the minor nor is affiliated with the program providing the treatment. The physician or chemical dependency counselor shall conduct the review not less than seven nor more than fourteen days following the date the minor was brought to the facility under RCW 70.96A.245(1) to determine whether it is a medical necessity to continue the minor's treatment on an inpatient basis.

(2) In making a determination under subsection (1) of this section whether it is a medical necessity to release the minor from inpatient treatment, the department shall consider the opinion of the treatment provider, the safety of the minor, the likelihood the minor's chemical dependency recovery will deteriorate if released from inpatient treatment, and the wishes of the parent.

(3) If, after any review conducted by the department under this section, the department determines it is no longer a medical necessity for a minor to receive inpatient treatment, the department shall immediately notify the parents and the professional person in charge. The professional person in charge shall release the minor to the parents within twenty-four hours of receiving notice. If the professional person in charge and the parent believe that it is a medical necessity for the minor to remain in inpatient treatment, the minor shall be released to the parent on the second judicial day following the department's determination in order to allow the parent time to file an at-risk youth petition under chapter 13.32A RCW. If the department determines it is a medical necessity for the minor to receive outpatient treatment and the minor declines to obtain such treatment, such refusal shall be grounds for the parent to file an at-risk youth petition.

(4) The department may, subject to available funds, contract with other governmental agencies for the conduct of the reviews conducted under this section and may seek reimbursement from the parents, their insurance, or medicaid for the expense of any review conducted by an agency under contract.

(5) In addition to the review required under this section, the department may periodically determine and redetermine the medical necessity of treatment for purposes of payment with public funds.

[ 1998 c 296 § 28; 1995 c 312 § 48.]

NOTES:

Findings—Intent—Part headings not law—Short title—1998 c 296: See notes following RCW 74.13.025.

Short title—1995 c 312: See note following RCW 13.32A.010.

1998 c 296 § 28; 1995 c 312 § 48.