(a) Certification. (1) A physician must certify for each applicant or beneficiary that inpatient services in a mental hospital are or were needed.

(2) The certification must be made at the time of admission or, if an individual applies for assistance while in a mental hospital, before the Medicaid agency authorizes payment.

(b) Recertification. (1) A physician, or physician assistant or nurse practitioner (as defined in § 491.2 of this chapter) acting within the scope of practice as defined by State law and under the supervision of a physician, must recertify for each applicant or beneficiary that inpatient services in a mental hospital are needed.

(2) Recertification must be made at least every 60 days after certification.