FAQs

NEDHSA manages community-based services for individuals diagnosed with major mental illness, developmental disabilities and addictive disorders. NEDHSA is devoted to deliver programs and services that encourage people to reach their true potential. These are our three guiding principles that drive how we serve our citizens:

• Greater access to services
• Excellent customer service
• Quality, competent care

NEDHSA serves citizens diagnosed with major mental illness, developmental disabilities and addictive disorders in these 12 northeastern Louisiana parishes: Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Lincoln, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union, and West Carroll.

If you think you are having mental health issues such as depression, severe mood swings, hallucinations, or emotional problems resulting from a traumatic event, we will assess you and determine if you meet our admission criteria or if you would benefit from our assisting you with some other treatment placement.

We accept most private insurance plans, such as:

• Medicaid
• Medicare
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield
• United Behavioral Health Care (OPTUM)
• United Health Care
• ATENA
• Benefit Management
• Humana
• Cigna
• CHAMPVA

Although we accept most private insurance, please be sure to contact your insurance company to make sure the services you need are covered under your plan. Insurance is not required to receive services. We will accept patients who meet eligibility requirements. Client fees are based on income and number of dependents.

To find services for addictive disorders and mental health services, please review our lists of clinics here. This will minimize the time you’ll have to wait.

The Monroe Clinic has a dedicated walk-in assessment unit and accepts walk-ins from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Ruston Clinic also accepts walk-ins from 8:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. The remaining clinics may be able to accommodate a walk-in if there is an hour of unscheduled time or a cancellation, but a walk-in to the rural clinics without an appointment may result in longer wait times. For best results, call first to schedule an appointment. For developmental disabilities services, please call 318-362-5188. (The Developmental Disability application center is currently located at 3200 Concordia Avenue in Monroe. We are expanding our offices to a new location as of October 2022 at 2324 Armand Connector, Monroe. Applicants may walk in to be seen by the first available intake staff or may make an appointment.)

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis beyond our hours of operation, please call our 24/7 crisis line at 1-800-256-2522. We will speak with you and help you find the services you need. We will refer you elsewhere if your needs are beyond the scope of the services we offer. If you are experiencing a medical emergency or feel you may be a danger to yourself or others, please visit the nearest emergency room or call 911.

To find services for addictive disorders and mental health services, please review our lists of clinics here. This will minimize the time you’ll have to wait.

The Monroe Clinic has a dedicated walk-in assessment unit and accepts walk-ins from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The Ruston Clinic also accepts walk-ins from 8:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. The remaining clinics may be able to accommodate a walk-in if there is an hour of unscheduled time or a cancellation, but a walk-in to the rural clinics without an appointment may result in longer wait times. For best results, call first to schedule an appointment. For developmental disabilities services, please call 318-362-5188 or you may walk-in to the Women & Children’s Clinic, which also serves as the NEDHSA Development Disabilities Application Center, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis beyond our hours of operation, please call our 24/7 crisis line at 1-800-256-2522. We will speak with you and help you find the services you need. We will refer you elsewhere if your needs are beyond the scope of the services we offer. If you are experiencing a medical emergency or feel you may be a danger to yourself or others, please visit the nearest emergency room or call 911.

Please contact us for additional information. The following is the general admission criteria:

For People with Developmental Disabilities:

• You are a resident of one of the 12 parishes we serve.
• You have a severe, chronic physical and/or intellectual disability that is present prior to the person turning 22 years of age. Participant ages served is 3 through 100 but disability must be determined to have occurred prior to the time the person turns 22 years.

People in need of Mental Health or Addiction Services:

• You are a resident of one of the 12 parishes we serve.
• You are struggling with mental health issues, or you have received a diagnosis such as depression, bipolar disorder or anxiety disorder ranging from mild to severe.
• You have a substance abuse issue, substance dependence or a severe personality disorder.
• You have one or more mental health disorders that substantially interfere with your ability to carry out the primary aspects of daily living, such as self-care, household management, interpersonal relationships and performance in school or work.

For addiction and/or mental health services:

• If you have an appointment, you will be seen as scheduled.
• If you are a walk-in, you will be seen at the first available opening with a counselor.
• Upon your arrival, you will be asked to complete a packet of registration forms, consisting of consent forms, treatment options, a Medicaid application, voter registration and fee-setting materials. It may take 30-45 minutes to complete these forms.
• A counselor will meet with you and conduct an assessment which could take between 45-90 minutes. When your assessment is complete, you will either be assigned to a counselor for outpatient services, referred to appropriate services elsewhere if your needs are beyond the services we offer or advised that no services are required.
• Guardians must accompany children and adults who are under another person’s guardianship.

For Developmental Disabilities services:

• Staff will meet with the applicant to gather information about supports and services needed, make appropriate referrals for services, review information applicants provides related to verification of the person’s disability, determine any additional information needed, and sign documents for participation in the eligibility process.

For mental health and/or addiction services:

• An ID card and an insurance card if you have a policy.
• Any medications you take, in the pill bottle, or a pharmacy print-out of your medications.
• Proof of income must be established when you arrive. If you don’t have proof of income with you, you have 30 days to bring it back to us.
• Name and contact information for any agency that referred you to us.
• Any relevant legal paperwork such as a court order.

For developmental disabilities:

1. Social security card\number
2. Louisiana ID if available
3. Any psychological evaluations, medical records, work assessments, social security disability verification documents, Individualized Education Plan (IEP) along with school evaluations current or historical.
4. Any medical insurance cards including private, Medicare, and Medicaid.
5. Any legal documents related to custody orders, guardianship, tutorship, etc. of the applicant.

Medicaid and private insurance are accepted at all NEDHSA clinics. The NEDHSA Monroe and Columbia Behavioral Health Clinics also serve as Medicaid Application Centers. Staff persons are available to assist individuals in applying for Medicaid insurance on site as a convenience to our consumers.

Louisiana Act 384 merged mental health, developmental disability, addictive disorder services (or co-occurring disorders) into Local Governing Entities (LGEs) as of July 1, 2010. NEDHSA is one of 10 independent LGEs. Each LGE is administered by an Executive Director who reports to a local board of community volunteers. Each LGE remains part of the Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals.

A CARF One-Year Accreditation was awarded to NEDHSA for the following services:

• Intensive Outpatient Treatment: Alcohol and other Drugs/Addictions (Adults)
• Outpatient Treatment: Alcohol and Other Drugs/Addictions (Adults, Children, and Adolescents)
• Outpatient Treatment: Mental Health (Adults, Children, and Adolescents)

CARF accreditation demonstrates NEDHSA’s quality, accountability, and commitment to the satisfaction of the persons served. CARF International is an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services providers in the areas of Aging Services, Behavioral Health, Child and Youth Services, Durable Medical Equipment, Employment and Community Services, Medical Rehabilitation, Opioid Treatment Programs, and Vision Rehabilitation Services. For more information on CARF, visit www.carf.org