Inpatient Referrals

If you are a hospital, detox center, drug court, or outpatient center looking to refer someone to our Saranac Lake inpatient addiction treatment facility, our admissions specialists can answer any questions that you or your patient may have, as well as guide you both through the admissions process.

Inpatient treatment is typically for a 28 day period. Treatment is based on medical necessity and can be longer, or shorter for each individual. Legal mandates are typically for 90-100 days of treatment. We accept most insurances and advocate for our clients to receive the treatment they need.

hand reaching out for help

To get started:

Call us toll-free for an initial phone screening

We ask that all referrers begin the inpatient treatment admissions process at our Saranac Lake campus by setting up an initial phone screening.

(877) 813-8647

Provider Inpatient Referral Process

  • Step 1

    Fax Documentation: (518)-891-3986

    1. The patients’ referral, including a substance use disorder assessment done at an outpatient clinic, a hospital, a detox, a crisis center, or a primary care doctor. An assessment is referred to as a bio/psycho/social assessment.

    2. Documentation from a past provider if the patient has had treatment for addiction in the past.

    3. PPD (tuberculosis skin test) and a regular physical performed in the past year, including any labs.

    4. Complete the OASAS LOCADTR, to determine the level of care that is appropriate. If inpatient rehabilitation is not recommended, then they should be referred to the appropriate level of care.

  • Step 2

    Phone Screening

    We will call your referral when we receive this paperwork and will schedule a phone screening with the patient.

    The phone screening is an admissions interview that will take approximately 15-30 minutes. At this time we will complete a LOCADTR with the patient over the phone. This will be repeated when they are admitted to the inpatient rehbilitation program.

  • Step 3

    Determine Level of Care

    We look at the provided information from three areas:

    1. Clinical

    2. Medical

    3. Insurance funding.

    Our team will review the information to determine if this is the right level of care and the appropriate facility for your referral. If our inpatient program is appropriate, you will be notified when a bed becomes available. If there is a waiting list, your referral will be placed on the waiting list at this time.

 Legal & Court Mandated Referrals

A criminal Judge can mandate the patient to inpatient substance abuse treatment even if the LOCADTR states a different level of care.

Medicaid

Medicaid insurance will typically pay for up to 90 days of treatment as an alternative to incarceration with a valid mandate letter. We have provided a sample mandate letter that can be copied word for word. 

Private Insurance

If the client has private insurance or insurance other than Medicaid, a legal mandate may not be covered by the insurance.  Private insurance will only cover medically necessary treatment. If the mandate is issued, the patient will be responsible financially for the treatment that insurance does not cover.

Pending Legal Charges, Upcoming Court Appearances, and Warrants

If your referral has pending legal charges, upcoming court appearances, or warrants, please make arrangements for them to be postponed.  Alert legal representatives that your referral will be attending inpatient substance use disorder treatment at St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment and Recovery Centers.