Collaborative psychiatric consultations: Guidance for primary care providers who prescribe psychotropic medications for children.

A 2010 Minnesota law required the Department of Human Services to develop a collaborative psychiatric consultation service for primary care practitioners and other health care professionals, with an initial focus on those who prescribe medications for children. Use of the service will be required for prescribers of certain psychotropic medications for children enrolled in fee-for-service Medical Assistance, the state's Medicaid program. This article discusses the impetus for the law, explains the new medication review requirements, and describes plans for the consultation service.