1. (a) The following services may be provided to an eligible recipient under this chapter, as set out in the Alaska Behavioral Health Providers Services Standards & Administrative Procedures for Behavioral Health Provider Services, adopted by reference in 7 AAC 160.900, in any appropriate community setting:

   1. (1) peer-based crisis services, provided by a peer support specialist under 7 AAC 138.400, to help an individual avoid the need for hospital emergency department services or the need for psychiatric hospitalization through services identified in a crisis plan by a mental health professional clinician that may include

      1. (A) a summary of crisis intervention needs;
      2. (B) facilitation of transition to other community-based resources or natural supports; and
      3. (C) advocacy for client needs with other service providers;

   2. (2) mobile outreach and crisis response services,

      1. (A) only if provided by

         1. (i) a mental health professional clinician; and
         2. (ii) a qualified behavioral health professional, as defined in the Alaska Behavioral Health Provider Service Standards & Administrative Procedures for SUD Provider Services, adopted by reference in 7 AAC 160.900; and

      2. (B) provided to

         1. (i) prevent a substance use disorder or mental health crisis from escalating;
         2. (ii) stabilize an individual during or after a mental health crisis or crisis involving a substance use disorder; or
         3. (iii) refer and connect to other appropriate services that may be needed to resolve the crisis;

   3. (3) 23-hour crisis observation and stabilization services, that are provided for up to 23 hours and 59 minutes in a secure environment to an individual presenting with acute symptoms of mental or emotional distress, and that must

      1. (A) be provided by a multidisciplinary team supervised by a physician, a physician assistant, or an advanced practice registered nurse;
      2. (B) result in prompt evaluation and stabilization of the individual's condition; and
      3. (C) ensure that the individual is safe from self-harm, including suicidal behavior.
2. (b) Peer-based crisis services, mobile outreach and crisis response, and 23-hour crisis observation and stabilization services must be documented in a progress note in accordance with 7 AAC 105.230 and include an evidence-based risk assessment and follow-up disposition.

3. (c) The crisis residential and stabilization services provided to an eligible individual under this chapter presenting with acute mental or emotional disorders requiring psychiatric stabilization and care may be provided in a licensed general acute care hospital, a licensed psychiatric hospital, a United States Indian Health Service facility, a licensed critical access hospital, a community behavioral health services provider approved by the department under 7 AAC 136.020, or a licensed crisis stabilization center. The crisis residential and stabilization services must be

   1. (1) provided

      1. (A) as a short-term residential program with 16 or fewer beds;
      2. (B) as a medically monitored stabilization service designed to restore the individual to a level of functioning that does not require inpatient hospitalization; and
      3. (C) to assess the need for medication services and other post-discharge treatment and support services; and

   2. (2) supported by documentation that includes

      1. (A) an individualized crisis assessment based on an evidence-based risk assessment tool;
      2. (B) an individualized crisis treatment plan; and
      3. (C) daily documentation in the clinical record of the recipient's progress toward resolution of crisis.
4. (d) A peer support specialist in this section is subject to the qualifications listed in 7 AAC 138.400.
5. (e) In this section, "secure environment" means a level of security that will reasonably ensure that if a recipient leaves without permission, the recipient's act of leaving will be immediately noticed.
6. (f) In this section, "short-term" means not more than seven days, and may be extended through a service authorization.
7. (g) In this section, "follow-up disposition" includes the diagnosis and treatment given, condition of the recipient on discharge or transfer, and instructions given to the recipient, or the recipient's family regarding necessary follow-up care.

(Eff. 5/21/2020, Register 234; am 10/4/2020, Register 236; am 2/2/2024, Register 249)

Authority: AS 47.05.010, AS 47.05.270, AS 47.07.030, AS 47.07.036