Provider information and resources.

Serious Mental Illness (SMI) is a designation used in Arizona for adults (18+) who need additional support because their mental illness impacts their ability to function.

Criteria for SMI:

• Applicants must be 17.5 years of age and have serious functional impairment that is directly related to a SMI qualifying diagnosis that substantially interferes or limits their functioning in a family, school, employment, or community environment.
• Functional impairment must have existed for most of the past 12 months, or for most of the past six (6) months with an expected continuation of at least an additional six (6) months or they can also be at risk of deterioration – they are not currently functionally impaired, but they may deteriorate to such a level if treatment or supports are not provided.

• Provide more than one clinical contact, especially if a clinical contact will be on vacation.
• Provide accurate contact information for clinical contacts, please include email and phone number.
• Clinical contacts should be the person(s) at your agency (i.e., BHMP, psychiatrist/NP, case manager, etc.) who is most familiar with the member’s day-to-day functioning.
• Ensure your voicemail is accepting messages and has a clear greeting identifying that it is your line.
• Return clinical staffing messages within 24 hours maximum. Solari has very limited time to render a decision.
• Provide your accurate, honest perspective in the evaluation packet.

• The use of pend options are helpful when an applicant has additional treatment history with other providers, are new to your agency, additional diagnostic/functional support is needed.
• A 20-day pend allows for requesting additional records (i.e., hospitals, health homes, schools, etc.) and/or additional staffing time. The Extended Evaluation Program (EEP) is used in conjunction with the 20-day pend only if the applicant is suspected of, or actively using substances. This allows additional time to evaluate symptom presentation and functional impairments when there is a comorbid presentation. The EEP pend option is for 30-days with a maximum of 60-days.

All SMI services are voluntary. An applicant may choose not to receive services, or the clinical team can complete and submit a Removal of Designation packet to Solari for review and possible removal of their designation.