Below is important information about the Behavioral Health Counseling visits for unaccompanied minors and the process of referring minor patients if they meet the criteria. Please reach out to Lydia De Leon if you have questions or concerns.
Behavioral Health Counseling Visits for Unaccompanied Minors
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”
