Commonly Asked Question

Use the guide below to get answers to some of the most common questions we get about visitation, calling a patient, getting medication and more.

Any person can make a referral to Michiana Behavioral Health. Referrals are often made by healthcare professionals (physicians, social workers, psychologists, etc.), hospital emergency rooms or crisis center staff, or by a community agency or mental health program. Referrals may also be made by family members, friends, clergy, or the individual in need of service.

Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments for assessments are preferred for your convenience.

We are a preferred provider for most commercial insurance plans. We also accept Medicare, Managed Medicaid (Indiana), Michigan Medicaid (Including the following counties: Barry Co., Berrien Co., Branch Co., Cass Co. Calhoun Co., Kalamazoo Co., St. Joseph Co., Van Buren Co., and TRICARE®. Visit our Insurance Information page for more information, or contact us if you have additional questions.

Every person has different needs that help determine the duration of inpatient treatment. Contact us for more information about our programs.

You should plan to bring only three changes of comfortable, casual clothing. You will also need appropriate slip-on, closed-toe footwear and overnight clothing (pajamas). Please leave any items of value at home for safekeeping, including jewelry, electronic devices, and cell phones. Michiana Behavioral Health provides all personal care items such as toothbrushes and shampoo. Please see our Packing List for a full description of what we recommend to bring.

Michiana Behavioral Health is tobacco-free, so patients, visitors, employees, and physicians are prohibited from using tobacco products anywhere on our campus. Nicotine replacement therapies are available on all adult units.

For privacy, each patient is assigned a confidential code number at admission. To talk to a patient, you must be listed on the patient’s Telephone List AND know that assigned confidential code number. We ask that family members wait to receive calls until the scheduled phone times so as not to disrupt the treatment program. Due to the high volume of calls being made at these times, we have found that it is much simpler if our patients call out to family members. However, if you have not received a call, feel free to contact us. Phone times can be found here.

To protect the health and safety of our patients, staff and community, limitations to visitation are in effect. In-person visitation has generally been suspended (with limited critical exceptions). Please contact us directly with questions related to your particular circumstances.

We strongly encourage the use of electronic methods to stay connected with loved ones including telemedicine, Zoom and extended phone time.

  • Psychiatrist: Directs medical management while at Michiana Behavioral Health. A psychiatrist will see patients within the first 24 hours of admission.
  • Registered Nurses: Responsible for daily activities and medical/emotional needs. The RNs participate in behavior management and administer medications as ordered by the physician.
  • Mental Health Technicians: Assist with daily activities, like helping to run program groups and activities, taking vital signs and accompanying patients to off-unit activities.
  • Activity Therapy: Assists with recreational activities as tools to enhance self-esteem, problem-solving and social skills.
  • Social Workers: Provide individual, group, and family therapy for patients on the unit, and assists in the development of a discharge plan with the patient, family, psychiatrist and community.

Some insurance companies require prior authorization for certain medications. Please have your pharmacy fax us the Prior Authorization (PA) Request to 574-935-9076. If you have recently obtained insurance, you may still be showing as inactive with the pharmacy that is contracted with your insurance company. Call us at 574-936-3784 to have us expedite this process.

The Medical Records department is open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call the office directly at 574-941-5779, or our main number, 574-936-3784, and request to be transferred.

Our Business Office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Call 574-936-3784 and ask to be transferred.

help

Help Is Right Here

Our Assessment and Referral specialists are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to schedule a no-cost, mental health assessments. Call 800-795-6252 or visit our facility to get started. For questions about our programs, you can also use our online contact form. In the case of a medical emergency or crisis, please dial 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.