Case Management - Rule 79

Des Moines Valley Health and Human Service (DVHHS) provides Rule 79 Mental Health case management to clients who meet the eligibility criteria as stated in Minnesota Statutes.

DVHHS Mental Health Case managers receive referrals from consumers, families and friends of consumers, provider agencies, hospitals, medical clinics, mental health centers, Intensive Residential Treatment Services, community individuals and law enforcement.  Case managers are advocates for consumers and work to insure that the consumers are able to live their lives as independently as possible.

Consumers in the community may choose to accept or refuse case management services.   Individuals admitted to a Behavioral Health Hospital and committed to the Commissioner of Human Services will receive case management services until the commitment ends which is usually six months after the commitment hearing.  After their legal status changes, they are offered the opportunity to continue with services.

Case managers have at least monthly contact with the consumer or as identified in their Individual Consumer Support Plan (ICSP).  Goals are developed to assist the consumer to live as independently as possible.   Case managers review assessments and talk with therapists, psychiatrists and consumers about what they feel their needs are and with what they would like assistance.  Case managers make referrals to providers who assist the consumer with their needs.

To determine if further services are needed, providers meet together to discuss progress, concerns or needs of the consumer.   They are also available to work through crisis situations and if needed help the consumer find a safe place until the crisis passes.

Eligibility

An adult who has a mental illness and meets at least one of the following criteria:

• has undergone two or more episodes of in patient care for mental illness within the preceding 24 months
• has experienced a continuous psychiatric hospitalization or residential treatment exceeding six months duration with the preceding twelve months
• has received treatment by a crisis team two or more times within the preceding twenty four months
• has
• a diagnosis of Schizophrenia, Bi Polar Disorder, Major Depression or Borderline Personality Disorder
• Indicates a significant impairment in function and
• a written opinion from a mental health professional in the last three years stating that the adult is reasonably likely to have future episodes requiring in patient or residential treatment or unless ongoing case management or community support services are provided
• has been committed as a person who is mentally ill and whose commitment has been stayed or continued.