Unaccompanied Minor Behavioral Health Visits

What is an Unaccompanied Minor visit for Behavioral Health?

• A behavioral health counseling visit for a minor (14-17 years old) that does not require the presence or consent of a parent or legal guardian.

• These visits are identified by special appointment types: UM-BH or Unaccompanied Minor- BH

What services can be received?

• Behavioral Health Counseling services for unaccompanied minors ages 14 – 17

• Voluntary outpatient counseling from a licensed treatment facility or community provider

• It does not authorize a minor to receive psychotropic drugs. These visits require parental consent.

• If the minor is in crisis, a parent or legal guardian must be contacted to facilitate and consent for Crisis services.

How to refer an unaccompanied minor (14-17 y/o) for behavioral health counseling services

• In EMR, under Behavioral Health Referrals, choose the “Counseling Unaccompanied Minor” referral and follow the reminders.

• It is extremely important to add the contact information of the minor in the referral box to avoid delays in the process.

How do we protect a minor’s privacy?

• We do not send appointment reminders for UM-BH visit types

• We do not send patient surveys following UM-BH visits

• Counselors follow workflows to prevent bills from being sent

• Document in EMR Reminders the best way to contact the minor outside of office visits

• Subject for any message regarding follow up after the visit should include “Unaccompanied Minor”

Reference

• Delaware Title16, Code 5003-Voluntary Admission Procedure: 

https://delcode.delaware.gov/title16/c050/index.html#:~:text=If%20the%20individual%20in%20need,give%20written%20consent%20for%20treatment