5257.5. (Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 867, Sec. 3.)

(a) A care coordination plan shall be developed by, at a minimum, the individual, the facility, the county behavioral health department, the health care payer, if different from the county, and any other individuals designated by the individual as appropriate, and shall be provided to the individual before their discharge. The care coordination plan shall include a first followup appointment with an appropriate behavioral health professional. The appointment information shall be provided to the individual before their release. In no event may the individual be involuntarily held based on the requirements of this subdivision beyond when they would otherwise qualify for release. All care and treatment after release shall be voluntary.

(b) For purposes of care coordination and to schedule a followup appointment, the health plan, mental health plan, primary care provider, or other appropriate provider to whom the individual has been referred pursuant to subdivision (a) shall make a good faith effort to contact the referred individual no fewer than three times, either by email, telephone, mail, or in-person outreach, whichever method or methods is most likely to reach the individual.