5150 Holds

For Medi-Cal members, all acute psychiatric emergencies and facility-based care for behavioral health and substance use disorders are administered by their respective counties. Emergency services where the member is not admitted to an inpatient psychiatric facility is covered.

Under Section 5150 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code, a person who may be dangerous to self or others can be taken into custody and placed in an approved facility for a 72-hour treatment and evaluation. This is commonly referred to as a "5150 hold." 5150 holds are considered emergencies and should be handled like any other emergency inpatient hospitalization where the member cannot be immediately transferred.