Psychiatric Emergency. No Job, No Money, No Insurance.

domdrakka · May 11, 2011 at 05:21 AM

My nephew has behavioral problems. Diagnosed with conduct disorder, adhd, and bipolar disorder. He is sometimes very depressed and has homicidal thoughts frequently.

I would like him to admit himself into an Emergency Psychiatric Unit. You know a Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program. Someplace where it is a "short term" stay. Anywhere from 2-3 days to 2-3 months depending on how he progresses once he is inside there.

Does the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act also apply to behavioral emergencies. As I has said earlier my nephew cannot hold down a job for more than 6 months at a time. I think there is a problem that needs to be checked out.

Also I heard once he is under the care of a Psychiatric Emergency Care Center, that he is issued a medical card automatically. Is this true? If someone is admitted into an emergency psych ward, do they get a medical card or medicaid/medicare?

Thank you for your answers those who answer. I am going crazy trying to find the right help for my nephew.

dragonfly2 · May 11, 2011 at 09:17 AM

You are a very loving person to be so proactive in your nephew's health. Judging by the terminology you have used, it looks like you may be in New York state. I have found a link to the state regulations on involuntary psychiatric hospitalization, which may be what he needs right now. This is for both his and others' safety. Take a look at Section 9.43 in particular. This is for concerned family members. I believe they have to find him a charity bed somewhere and then they work out the social/financial needs from there.

Here's the link: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/cis/cis_ipe.shtml

I wish you and him well.

Perna · May 11, 2011 at 09:59 AM

The "Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act" was passed in 1986 in Congress as part of COBRA, which has to do with one's job/former job. Where you are living and your State laws would make the most difference. I would do as dragonfly2 suggests and check your State laws and mental health organizations that might help as they will be the "interpreter" of any Federal laws.

dragonfly2 · May 11, 2011 at 10:17 AM

Hi Perna - not to offend, but COBRA is actually a multi-dimensional umbrella law that encompasses many social areas and is not necessarily job related. The EMT and ALA are specifically medical treatment related and mandate that people in an emergent situation (labor meaning childbirth) are provided appropriate medical care regardless of ability to pay. The referral to a "Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program" is what prompted me to suggest the New York law, as this looks like a social program that is specific to that state. Also, New York is a mental health parity state, meaning that they have to treat psychiatric illnesses with the same priority and access as traditional "medical" illnesses. Whether or not the emergency is behavioral, by law, cannot have any bearing on the access to care. (I know you hadn't said anything about that...I just added that as additional info for domdrakka.)

domdrakka · May 11, 2011 at 10:34 AM

Okay so once he gets admitted into a facility, will they issue him a medical card for the time that he is in there. So he can have the treatment he needs while he is under the care of the Psychiatric Emergency Services facility.

I imagine they will want to keep him in there for at least 2 weeks, as he is very unstable right now. I just want to know if he will be given a medical card while in there.

dragonfly2 · May 11, 2011 at 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by domdrakka

Okay so once he gets admitted into a facility, will they issue him a medical card for the time that he is in there. So he can have the treatment he needs while he is under the care of the Psychiatric Emergency Services facility.

I imagine they will want to keep him in there for at least 2 weeks, as he is very unstable right now. I just want to know if he will be given a medical card while in there.

I'm afraid I can't tell you whether or not he will be given a card. You could try calling one of the hospitals you think he might be admitted to and ask for their patient financial office. They should be able to tell you how the process works. It sounds like the most important thing right now is to get him in somewhere.

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