Washington Medicaid: Discharge notification requirements for mental health inpatient stays

To comply with our discharge policy, health care professionals at inpatient psychiatric hospitals and mental health/substance abuse treatment units must provide at least 24 hours’ notice prior to discharge.

When you notify us, please also engage in ongoing planning with us and other outpatient health care professionals to help connect members to continued care before releasing members.

Requirement details

For an anticipated discharge, please notify us no later than 24 hours prior to the planned discharge. For all other discharges, including if the member leaves against medical advice, notify us on the day of the discharge.