Mental Health Information System (MHIS) Manual

Page Posted: 06/02/14

Page Reviewed: 8/22/2022

Page Updated: 8/12/2019

5.1.5. Level of Care Utilization System (LOCUS)

VARIABLE NAME: LOCUS Composite Score

DESCRIPTION: Report the LOCUS composite score.

VALID ENTRIES:

7-35

[99] Unknown

GUIDELINES:

· Program types required to complete LOCUS fields are: ARMHS, ACT and IRTS

· LOCUS fields are optional reporting for all other program/treatment selections. Optional reporters must complete all LOCUS fields (Composite score, Assessment date, Level of Care match) if electing to report.

· A LOCUS assessment completed by another provider, agency or county can be used under select circumstances as outlined in the MHCP Provider Manual.   

· All LOCUS dimensional scores are added together to determine the composite score.

FIELD NUMBER: L1

FIELD LENGTH: 2

FIELD TYPE: Numeric

FORMAT: XX

VARIABLE NAME: LOCUS Assessment Date

DESCRIPTION: The date the LOCUS Assessment was completed and signed by the mental health professional.

VALID ENTRIES:  

  2- digit month and day followed by the 4-digit year. The numeric format for months and days 1-9 must have a zero as the leading digit.

[01/01/1900] Unknown

GUIDELINES:  

· A LOCUS assessment is not considered complete until the Mental Health Professional has signed the assessment. The date of his/her signature is the date the assessment is complete.

· A LOCUS assessment completed by another provider, agency or county can be used under select circumstances as outlined in the MHCP Provider Manual.

· A LOCUS is valid for a maximum of 180 days (6 months) from the date it is signed by the Mental Health Professional.

· Note: A completed LOCUS is one part of a three tiered assessment process that is used to determine eligibility for specific services at the time of admission, and as services are ongoing. Policy regarding the completion and use of the LOCUS is found within the MHCP Provider Manual. This policy includes the definition of when a LOCUS is ‘current’.

FIELD NUMBER: L2

FIELD LENGTH: 10

FIELD TYPE: Text

FORMAT: MM/DD/YYYY

VARIABLE NAME: Level of Care / Service Match LOCUS Score

DESCRIPTION: Identifies the reason for variance between the level of care /service and LOCUS score.

VALID ENTRIES

[01] Yes: LOCUS score matches service - If the service falls into the level of care the LOCUS score indicates.

[02] No: Numerous Support Services in community - There are other services and supports in the community outside of the services required to use the LOCUS.

[03] No: Receiving 24 hour supervision in another program/service - There are services outside of the services required to use the LOCUS. These other services may be meeting the individuals treatment needs.

[04] No: Able to use other housing subsidies– There are other services and supports in the community outside of the services required to use the LOCUS. Support service will meet the clinical needs of the individuals, rather than service indicated for the level of care.

[05] No: Client unwilling to accept a higher level of service–If the LOCUS score falls into a higher level of care, but the client does not want that service.

[06] No: Client wishes to receive a higher level of service– Although a lower level of care is indicated by the LOCUS score, the client wishes to receive a higher level of service and the clinical judgment is that the client can benefit.

[07] No: Needs service level for stabilization– If clinical judgment determines that a different level of care is recommended for stabilization of symptoms prior to moving to the recommended LOCUS score.

[08] No: Strong Support network in the community- There are other services and strong supports in the community (family, friends, work, etc.) outside of the services required to use the LOCUS.

[09] No: Cycle of mental health symptoms allows for variance– Especially for longer-term services, someone’s cycle of symptoms may bring them in and out of recommended levels of care. Someone is in a cycle that lends to a higher or lower recommended level of care.

[10] No: Completing another treatment program in lieu of this level of care (in-patient) - There are services outside of the services required to use the LOCUS. These other services may be meeting the individual’s treatment needs.

[11] No: Higher level of care not available - If the LOCUS score indicates a higher level of care but that is not available in the community.

[12] No: Lower level of care not available- If the LOCUS score indicates a lower level of care, but that is not available in the community.

[13] No: Legal commitment requires service– If the LOCUS score indicates a lower level of care but a civil commitment order requires a higher level of care, a legal commitment can be a deciding factor in which service an individual receives.

[14] No: Transitioning between services- If the LOCUS score indicates a different service level, but the client is in a transition period.

[99] Unknown

GUIDELINES:

· Actual Services provided/recommended may be outside of the LOCUS score recommendation. If the level of care/service being provided is a different chose the best code value as to why the variance was made.

FIELD NUMBER: L3

FIELD LENGTH: 2

FIELD TYPE: Text

FORMAT: XX