1. (a) The MHP payment authorization shall be determined for:

   1. (1) Fee-for-Service/Medi-Cal hospitals, by an MHP's Point of Authorization.

   2. (2) Short-Doyle/Medi-Cal hospitals contracting with the MHP, by either:

      1. (A) An MHP's Point of Authorization, or
      2. (B) The hospital's Utilization Review Committee, as agreed to in the contract.
   3. (3) Short-Doyle/Medi-Cal hospitals that do not have a contract with the MHP, by an MHP's Point of Authorization.
2. (b) The MHP that approves the MHP payment authorization shall have financial responsibility as described in this Chapter for the services authorized, unless financial responsibility is assigned to another entity pursuant to Sections 1850.405 and 1850.505 or unless the services are provided to individuals eligible for the County Medical Services Program (CMSP). Services provided to individuals eligible for the CMSP shall be authorized by the MHP for that county, but the MHP will not be responsible for payment of those services.

3. (c) MHP payment authorization requests presented for authorization beyond the timelines specified in this Subchapter shall be accepted for consideration by the MHP when the MHP determines that the hospital was prevented from submitting a timely request because of a reason that meets one of the criteria specified below. The MHP may accept MHP payment authorization requests presented beyond the timelines specified in the Subchapter for other acceptable reasons as determined by the MHP. The hospital shall submit factual documentation deemed necessary by the MHP with the MHP payment authorization request. Any additional documentation requested by the MHP shall be submitted within 60 calendar days of the MHP's request. The documentation shall verify that the late submission was due to:

   1. (1) A natural disaster that has:

      1. (A) Destroyed or damaged the hospital's business office or records; or
      2. (B) Substantially interfered with the hospital's agent's processing of requests for MHP payment authorization; or

   2. (2) Delays caused by other circumstances beyond the hospital's control. Documentation shall include evidence that the circumstance causing the delay was reported to a law enforcement or fire agency, if the circumstance is required to be reported. Circumstances not considered beyond the control of the hospital include but are not limited to:

      1. (A) Negligence by employees.
      2. (B) Misunderstanding of program requirements.
      3. (C) Illness or absence of any employee trained to prepare MHP payment authorizations.
      4. (D) Delays caused by the United States Postal Service or any private delivery service.

Note: Authority cited: Section 14680, Welfare and Institutions Code. Reference: Sections 5777, 5778 and 14684, Welfare and Institutions Code.

History

1. New section filed 10-31-97 as an emergency; operative 11-1-97 (Register 97, No. 44). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 3-2-98 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

2. New section refiled 3-2-98 as an emergency; operative 3-2-98 (Register 98, No. 10). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 6-30-98 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

3. New section refiled 6-17-98 as an emergency; operative 6-30-98 (Register 98, No. 25). Pursuant to Chapter 324 (Statutes of 1998) Item 4440-103-0001(4), a Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 7-1-99 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.

4. Editorial correction of History 3 (Register 98, No. 39).

5. Editorial correction extending Certificate of Compliance date to 7-1-2001 pursuant to Chapter 50 (Statutes of 1999) Item 4440-103-0001(4) (Register 99, No. 33). Notwithstanding any other provision of law, emergency regulations adopted pursuant to Welfare and Institutions Code section 14680 to implement the second phase of mental health managed care as provided in this part shall remain in effect until permanent regulations are adopted, or June 30, 2006, whichever occurs first.

6. Editorial correction of History 5 (Register 2000, No. 42).

7. Editorial correction of History 5 and repealer and new section filed 5-19-2006; operative 6-18-2006 (Register 2006, No. 20).