Definition
Institutions for mental disease (IMD) are facilities that have 16 or more beds where individuals reside to treat mental illness, as well as, receive medical and nursing care services (Title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), § 435.1010). In California, IMDs can be psychiatric hospitals, psychiatric health facilities (PHF), skilled nursing facilities with special treatment programs (SNF-STP), mental health rehabilitation centers (MHRC), or state hospitals.
Statute and Regulations
These are highly restrictive facilities that do not typically provide appropriate services for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) and co-occurring psychiatric disabilities. For this reason, current law places restrictions and time limitations on the use of IMD residential services by regional centers for individuals with I/DD (Welfare & Institutions Code § 4648(a)(9)(C)).
Last modified: April 20, 2022
