This regulation establishes Medicaid reimbursement rules for Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) services in the District of Columbia. CPEP provides emergency behavioral health crisis services in three tiers: brief psychiatric crisis visits (up to 4 hours), extended psychiatric crisis visits (up to 24 hours), and extended observation visits (24–72 hours), with a maximum stay of 72 hours. Reimbursement is structured by level of service, with brief visits billed in one-hour units (up to four per day) and extended visits reimbursed on a per-diem basis. Operators must deliver services in accordance with Chapter 80 of Title 22-A DCMR.
View official source10601 COMPREHENSIVE PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY PROGRAM 10601.1 Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program (CPEP) services are services provided on an emergent basis to individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis, as defined in Chapter 80 of Title 22-A of the DCMR. 10601.2 CPEP includes three different levels of services: Brief psychiatric crisis visit, which may last up to four (4) hours; Extended psychiatric crisis visit, which may last up to twenty-four (24) hours; and Extended observation visit, which may last between twenty-four (24) and seventy-two (72) hours. 10601.3 A CPEP stay shall not exceed seventy-two (72) hours. 10601.4 CPEP shall be reimbursed based on the level of service provided, as follows: Brief psychiatric crisis visits are reimbursed using a one (1) hour unit. A maximum of four units may be billed in a day; and, Extended psychiatric crisis and extended observation visits are reimbursed using a per-diem unit. 10601.5 CPEP services shall be delivered in accordance with requirements set forth in Chapter 80 of Title 22-A DCMR. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 72 DCR 013719 (December 5, 2025). District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Public Welfare 29 DCMR § 10601