Definition:
An intermediate level of care for mental illness. Partial hospitalization programs (PHP)are full day programs within a psychiatric hospital or behavioral health department of a hospital. Patients participate generally weekdays for 7 to 8 hours at a time.
The programming consists of some groups, individual work (often daily), meetings with psychiatrists, as well as less structured socialization with the other patients. Groups and interventions are based on the needs of the patients within the program.
PHPs tend to have a wider range of the patients than lower levels of care. However, there are some PHPs that are set up for specific patient populations such as eating disorders, addictions, or borderline personality disorders.
Insurance generally covers PHP if it is determined to be medically necessary.
PHP can be a step down level of care for those who have been hospitalized, providing the therapeutic services of hospitalization while transitioning back to home.
PHP can also be used to provide patients with an intensive level of intervention and services, in an effort to prevent hospitalization.
Also Known As: Sometimes referred to as Day Treatment
