I want to have my loved one transferred to another inpatient facility. What are my options?

It can be difficult for family members to get their loved one transferred from one inpatient facility to another, but there are some steps you can try.  

If a public facility is providing and funding their care (e.g., a state hospital), you will have limited leverage to request a transfer. If your loved one is working with a provider through your state or county’s public behavioral health services, one course of action is to contact that provider or agency and ask if there are other inpatient treatment options available to your loved one. 

If your loved one’s care at a private facility is covered by private insurance, you may be able to work with the insurance company to request a transfer, especially if you can make the case that transferring your loved one to a facility closer to home will improve treatment outcomes and potentially reduce costs. Typically, this will be limited to intermediate care facilities, such as residential treatment centers (RTCs). You might want to contact your insurance company to explore the possibility of a transfer using the insurance company’s grievance/appeals process.  

If there is evidence of mistreatment (e.g. overuse of restraint or neglect or failure to get medical care), or abuse in the facility where your loved one is currently being treated, then getting your loved one transferred is more likely. You may wish to contact your state’s mental health authority and/or your state’s protection and advocacy agency; they are responsible under federal law for investigating allegations of abuse and neglect. You may also wish to contact the patient advocacy department or ombudsman at the hospital. 

Finally, as a last resort, you can contact the local field office of your U.S. or state representative; an inquiry from a congressional office can sometimes spur positive action.    

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