Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTF)

Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTF) provide active treatment to children and youth under age 21 with complex mental health conditions. This is an inpatient level of care provided in a residential facility rather than a hospital. PRTFs deliver services under the direction of a physician, seven days per week, to residents and their families, which may include individual, family and group therapy. A resident’s plan of care may also include arranged services or specialty services, such as occupational, physical, and speech therapies.

PRTF discharge planning begins at the time of admission and requires coordination with the individuals, their families and community-based service providers. Comprehensive discharge planning is essential for individuals to successfully transition to home, school and community as soon as possible.

Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTF) are not considered foster care placements. Children or youth are admitted to a PRTF only after medical necessity is determined. If you are a county or agency with placement authority, please refer to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System Social Service Information System Placement Guide (AFCARS) for more information.

Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) (Provider Manual)
Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility: An overview (PDF)
Medical Necessity Distinction: Children’s Residential Facilities (CRF) and Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTF) (PDF)
PRTF Authorization Under Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) and Third-Party Liability (TPL)(PDF)

Current Providers

Grafton Integrated Health Network Minnesota Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility
224 Krays Mill Rd. Cold Spring, MN 56320
Referrals: (320) 348-1250

Hoffmann Center
Address: 1715 Sheppard Drive, Saint Peter, MN 56082
Referrals: (507) 934-6122

Nexus-East Bethel Family Healing
900 189th Ave NE East Bethel, MN 55011
Referrals (email): admissions@nexuseastbethel.org

Northwood Children’s Services-West Campus
4000 W 9th St, Duluth, MN 55807
Referrals: (218) 628-0237
Eligible Providers
All PRTF providers must be selected through the Request for Proposals (RFP) process and be enrolled with Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) to be eligible for reimbursement.

Requirements include:
- Certified by Minnesota Department of Health as a PRTF and meet requirements for Board and Lodging or supervised living facilities (SLF) licensure.
- Licensed by Minnesota Department of Human Services
- Accredited by one of the following:
- Joint Commission
- Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities
- Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children
Admission
Eligibility Criteria (to be used for initial and concurrent review)

To be eligible for PRTF admission, Minnesota Health Care Programs (MCHP) members must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be under age 21 at time of admission
  - Services may continue until individual meets discharge criteria or reaches 22 years of age, whichever occurs first
- Has a mental health diagnosis as defined in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM), as well as clinical evidence of severe aggression, or a finding that the individual is a risk to self or others
- Has functional impairment and a history of difficulty in functioning safely and successfully in the community, school, home, or job; an inability to adequately care for one's physical needs; or caregivers, guardians, or family members are unable to safely fulfill the individual's needs
- Requires psychiatric residential treatment under the direction of a physician to improve the individual's condition or prevent further regression so that services will no longer be needed
- Utilized and exhausted other community-based mental health services, or clinical evidence indicates that such services cannot provide the level of care needed
- Was referred for treatment in a psychiatric residential treatment facility by a qualified mental health professional
Referrals
A qualified mental health professional may make a referral to a PRTF. A qualified mental health professional must meet requirements outlined in MN Statutes, section 245.4871, subd. 27, clauses (1) to (6). Other members of an individual’s treatment team, such as case managers and other service providers, may have a role in facilitating the referral and providing information to support the referral. Please refer to the MHCP Manual for more detailed requirements and instructions for authorization and billing for PRTF services.

Effective 10/18/2021: The Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care (AFMC) is now completing medical necessity reviews for individuals with Medical Assistance (MA) primary coverage. You must email AFMC to get an account set up before sending any client information to mnprtf@afmc.org. This includes PRTF referrals sent on behalf of referring agents, admission notifications, concurrent review requests, and discharge notices. AFMC’s email address is mnprtf@afmc.org. Once you have emailed AFMC, you will soon receive an invitation to set up your secure account.

Licensed mental health providers referring Medicaid (fee-for service) recipients must do the following:
1. Submit the Eligibility for Admission form (DHS 7696) and supporting documentation (diagnostic assessment (DA) dated within last 180 days or other psychological or psychiatric evaluation completed by a licensed psychologist or medical doctor) to mnprtf@afmc.org.
  - The medical necessity determination will remain valid as long as the diagnostic assessment or psychological/psychiatric evaluation is current, and there are no significant changes in symptoms and/or needs of the child/youth.
2. Coordinate with the PRTF facility regarding intake and admissions, and anticipated admission date.
For individuals with coverage other than Medicaid fee-for-service, the referring licensed mental health professional will coordinate referral and admission with the PRTF, and follow any authorization requirements of the individual’s health plan or payer.

For other inquiries and technical assistance, please contact: dhs.prtf@state.mn.us.