• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

Has your disability claim been wrongfully denied or terminated? Call us today for help!  (888) 321-8131

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

OLF Ortiz Law Firm National Disability Attorneys

Ortiz Law Firm is dedicated to helping people recover the disability benefits they deserve. We handle group Long Term Disability (LTD) claims, individual disability insurance policy claims, ERISA disability claims, and Social Security Disability claims.

  • ABOUT US
    • Nick Ortiz
    • Our Team
    • Case Results
    • Testimonials
  • PRACTICE AREAS
    • Long Term Disability
      • Long Term Disability Appeals
      • Long Term Disability Lawsuits
      • Lump Sum Buyouts/Settlements
    • ERISA Disability Claims
    • Individual Disability Insurance
    • Social Security Disability Claims
      • Initial Applications
      • Request for Reconsideration
      • Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge
    • Personal Injury Claims
  • DISABLING CONDITIONS
    • Long Term Disability
    • Social Security Disability
  • INSURANCE CARRIERS
    • View All
    • Insurance Company Tricks And Tactics
  • RESOURCES
    • Blog
    • Get Free Resources
    • Lump Sum Disability Buyout Calculator
    • Long Term Disability FAQs
    • Social Security Disability FAQs
    • Long Term Disability Glossary of Key Terms in a Policy
    • Long Term Disability Case Summaries
    • Abbreviations in Social Security Disability Claims
  • Search
  • CONTACT

Mobile Menu

Call us today for help!

(888) 321-8131
  • ABOUT US
    • Nick Ortiz
    • Our Team
    • Case Results
    • Testimonials
  • PRACTICE AREAS
    • Long Term Disability
      • Long Term Disability Appeals
      • Long Term Disability Lawsuits
      • Lump Sum Buyouts/Settlements
    • ERISA Disability Claims
    • Individual Disability Insurance
    • Social Security Disability Claims
      • Initial Applications
      • Request for Reconsideration
      • Hearing Before an Administrative Law Judge
    • Personal Injury Claims
  • DISABLING CONDITIONS
    • Long Term Disability
    • Social Security Disability
  • INSURANCE CARRIERS
    • View All
    • Insurance Company Tricks And Tactics
  • RESOURCES
    • Blog
    • Get Free Resources
    • Lump Sum Disability Buyout Calculator
    • Long Term Disability FAQs
    • Social Security Disability FAQs
    • Long Term Disability Glossary of Key Terms in a Policy
    • Long Term Disability Case Summaries
    • Abbreviations in Social Security Disability Claims
  • Search
  • CONTACT
You are here: Home / Social Security Disability Frequently Asked Questions / What is a Baker Act in Pensacola Florida?

What is a Baker Act in Pensacola Florida?

Florida’s Baker Act

What is the Baker Act and What Does It Do?

  • The Baker Act is set forth in Florida Statutes, Chapter 394, Part I, and is also known as the Florida Mental Health Act.
  • The Baker Act provides legal procedures for mental health examination and treatment, including:

o Voluntary admission
o Involuntary examination
o Involuntary inpatient placement (IIP)
o Involuntary outpatient placement (IOP)

  • The Baker Act regulates:

o Crisis stabilization units (CSUs)
o Short‐term residential treatment facilities (SRTs)

  • The Baker Act protects the rights of all individuals examined or treated for mental illness in Florida.

What Is Involuntary Examination and How Is It Conducted?

  • An involuntary exam is a psychiatric exam conducted without a person’s consent, often called “getting Baker Acted.”
  • Involuntary exams are initiated by:

o Law enforcement officers (49%)
o Mental health professionals and physicians (49%)
o Circuit courts (2%)

  • Criteria for involuntary exam are that the individual:

o Appears to have a mental illness;
o Presents a danger to self or others; and
o Refuses voluntary exam or is unable to understand need for exam

  • Involuntary exams are provided only by DCF‐designated Baker Act receiving facilities:

o Hospitals
o Crisis stabilization units (CSUs)

  • Services focus on stabilizing the immediate crisis.
  • Within 72 hours of arrival, facility must release the individual or file a petition for involuntary placement.
  • Average length of stay is 4.5 days.
  • Release must be approved by a psychiatrist or a clinical psychologist.

Click here for: Florida Baker Act Information and Forms

Florida Baker Act Public Receiving Facilities in North Florida, designated by the Florida Department of Children & Families, and licensed by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.[Note: Receiving Facilities designated with a (*) are public receiving facilities funded by DCF to provided examination and short-term treatment to persons without ability to pay for private care. Public receiving facilities (that are affiliated with a community mental health center) are required to ensure the centralized provision and coordination of acute care services for eligible individuals with an acute mental illness. The nearest receiving facility, whether public or private, must accept any person brought by law enforcement for involuntary examination.]

DISTRICT 1 in Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa & Walton Counties:

  1. Baptist Hospital Emergency Room
    1000 West Moreno Street & Baptist Hospital Behavioral Medicine 1101 West Moreno Street Pensacola, Florida 32501
  2. *Bridgeway Center
    Crisis Stabilization Unit 205 Shell Avenue, S.E. Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32548
  3. Fort Walton Beach Medical Center
    1000 Mar-Walt Drive Fort Walton Beach, Florida 32547-6795
  4. *Lakeview Crisis Stabilization Unit
    1304 West Avery Street Pensacola, Florida 32501
  5. *West Florida Community Care Center
    5500 Stewart Street Milton, Florida 32570
  6. West Florida Regional Medical Center Emergency Room
    8383 North Davis Highway and The Pavilion, 2191 Johnson Avenue Pensacola, Florida 32514
FacebookTweetPinLinkedInPrintEmail

Primary Sidebar

Top Ten Mistakes That Will Destroy Your Social Security Disability Claim

Get Free Resources

"I can’t say enough good things about Mr. Ortiz and his team of professionals. They were dedicated to helping me win my Social Security Disability case. Through the entire process, they were there to answer any questions I had and made it so easy for me. I can’t thank them enough."

Felicia B.

Recent Posts

  • How To Collect Medical Records Without Breaking the Bank
  • How Long Does It Take to Get Social Security Disability Back Pay?
  • What is the Elimination Period in a Long Term Disability Claim?
  • 10 Tips to Maintain Approval of Your LTD Benefits
  • What Not To Say In Your Social Security Disability Interview

Footer

Location

316 S Baylen St Ste 590
Pensacola, FL 32502
(888) 321-8131
Monday - Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Quick Links

  • Testimonials
  • Case Results
  • Resources
  • Contact Us

Claims Handled

  • Long Term Disability Claims
  • ERISA Disability Claims
  • Individual Disability Claims
  • Social Security Disability Claims
  • Florida Personal Injury Claims
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Site Footer

© 2023 Ortiz Law Firm

Sitemap | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!