A diagnostic assessment must be completed within 30 days of the recipient's first face-to-face or telehealth visit with a mental health provider. On-going assessment and identification of changes in the recipient's needs and strengths must occur throughout treatment and must be documented in progress notes or other clinical documentation. Three face-to-face or telehealth interviews designed to assist in the formulation of a diagnostic assessment are covered. For children under 18 years of age, the mental health staff shall obtain permission from the parent or legal guardian to meet with the child, and at least one parent or legal guardian shall participate in the assessment. Psychiatric therapeutic procedures or psychiatric somatotherapy, provided before the diagnostic assessment is completed, are considered noncovered services.

The mental health provider must complete, sign, and date the diagnostic assessment before providing mental health treatment. The signature is a certification by the mental health provider that the findings of the diagnostic assessment are accurate. The certification date is the effective date of the diagnostic assessment.

Source: 22 SDR 6, effective July 26, 1995; 37 SDR 53, effective September 23, 2010 ; 46 SDR 50, effective October 10, 2019; 48 SDR 39, effective October 3, 2021 .

General Authority: SDCL 28-6-1 (1)(2) .

Law Implemented: SDCL 28-6-1 .

Prior versions effective: 2019-10-10, 2010-09-23.