Per Chapter 34 of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations, a Treatment Plan (IRP/IPC) is required for authorization of all MHRS. The Treatment Plan is NOT EFFECTIVE until signed by the Approving Qualified Practitioner (AQP) (see section 3408.2). 

• For example, if the AQP signs the Treatment Plan two weeks after the start date of the plan, services delivered during those two weeks are uncovered.
• The AQP’s signature MUST be dated; date may only be the date the signature was written. 
• Pre-printed signature dates are not allowable. 
• The AQP’s signature must be hand-signed. An exception is an electronic signature in an electronic medical record (See DMH Policy 450.1 Use of Electronic
• Signatures in Clinical Documentation). 
• The first treatment plan must be developed and approved (signed) by the AQP by the fourth visit or within thirty (30) calendar days of enrollment, whichever come first.

No back-dating of treatment plans is permissible.  It may be considered as fraud.

Questions and/or further information please contact:
Atiya Frame-Shamblee, Esq.
Director of Quality Improvement
Office of Accountability
District of Columbia Department of Mental Health
609 H Street, NE, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20002-4347
(202) 673-2255, Office