Levels of care
Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
A partial hospitalization program is the most intensive level of care in which a person still sleeps at home — a full weekday of structured clinical treatment, five days a week.
Lives at home
Yes
Intensity
High during the day
Monitoring
Daily clinical contact and psychiatric oversight
This page is educational, not a recommendation.No website can tell you which level of care you need. Placement decisions require an evaluation by a qualified professional who can review your history, current symptoms, safety, and supports.
What this level of care is
- Usually five days per week, roughly five to six hours per day.
- Multiple group sessions daily, individual therapy, and frequent prescriber contact.
- Nursing or medical staff often on site during program hours.
- Frequently used as a step-down from inpatient or residential care, or a step-up from IOP.
Who is typically referred
- People discharged from an inpatient psychiatric unit who are not yet ready for weekly outpatient care.
- People whose symptoms are severe but who have a safe, supportive home environment overnight.
- People needing rapid medication adjustment with close observation.
What a typical schedule looks like
- A full weekday block, typically mid-morning through mid-afternoon.
- Three to four therapeutic groups per day plus individual and family work.
- Daily or near-daily contact with the prescribing clinician early in the stay.
- Programs commonly last two to four weeks before stepping down.
Insurance and cost considerations
- PHP nearly always requires prior authorization and ongoing medical-necessity review.
- Coverage is often authorized in short increments, with continued stay depending on documented progress.
- Ask the program's benefits staff for a written estimate of out-of-pocket cost before starting.
What this level is not
- It is not inpatient hospitalization; there is no overnight supervision.
- It is not appropriate when someone is at acute risk of harm overnight.
- It is not a long-term arrangement — it is designed as a transitional level.
Questions worth asking
- What are the daily hours, and is transportation an obstacle?
- Is a psychiatrist on site, and how often will I see them?
- What is the typical length of stay, and what triggers a step down or step up?
- How is family involved?
- What outpatient appointments will be scheduled before discharge?
Safety note. PHP participants are home overnight and on weekends. Keep 988 and the local emergency department in the safety plan for those hours. Call 911 in an emergency, or call or text 988. See crisis resources.