What is a partial hospitalization program?
PHP sits between residential rehab and standard outpatient care. You get many of the same services as a residential program, such as group and individual therapy, psychiatric care and medication management, but you sleep at home or in a sober living home.
The ASAM Criteria, placement guidelines from the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), are used by most programs and insurers. In the third edition, PHP was called Level 2.5 – Partial Hospitalization. The fourth edition, published in 2023, keeps the number but renames it Level 2.5 – High-Intensity Outpatient. It also adds Level 2.7 – Medically Managed Intensive Outpatient, which includes daily medical care and withdrawal management in an outpatient setting.
Some programs also call this level "day treatment." Whatever the name, the key feature is the same: about 20 or more hours of treatment a week, with the structure of a full program and the freedom to go home.
Not sure if PHP is the right level? Call (877) 847-2855 to talk through options and check your insurance benefits. It's free and confidential.
Who is partial hospitalization for?
A clinical assessment determines whether PHP fits. It is often right for people who:
- Are stepping down from detox or inpatient residential treatment and still need daily support
- Need more than weekly therapy, but are medically stable and don't need 24-hour care
- Have a safe, substance-free place to live, or access to sober living
- Have a co-occurring mental health condition that needs close monitoring (see dual diagnosis treatment)
- Want intensive treatment while staying close to family
PHP may not be safe if you are at risk of severe withdrawal. Withdrawal from alcohol and benzodiazepines can be life-threatening and needs medical supervision. If you are in danger, call 911. If you are thinking about suicide, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
What does a typical day in PHP look like?
Most programs run about five or six hours a day, five days a week, though schedules vary.
| Time | Typical activity |
|---|---|
| Morning | Check-in, sometimes a breath or urine test, and a process group |
| Late morning | Skills group, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or relapse prevention |
| Midday | Lunch, often provided on site |
| Early afternoon | Individual therapy, psychiatric or medication visits, or family sessions |
| Mid-afternoon | Education session or wellness activity, then wrap-up and plans for the evening |
Many programs offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT), which combines FDA-approved medications with counseling for opioid or alcohol use disorders. Evenings and weekends are yours, which gives you a chance to practice new skills in real life and bring challenges back to group.
Because PHP takes up most of the day, plan ahead for practical needs. Ask whether the program helps with transportation, whether meals are provided, and how it handles missed days. Many programs also expect you to attend peer support meetings in the evenings or on weekends.
Family involvement matters too. Many PHPs offer family therapy or education sessions, which help loved ones understand substance use disorders and learn how to support recovery at home.
How long does PHP last?
PHP often lasts a few weeks, but there is no standard length. Your care team checks your progress regularly, and insurers usually review medical necessity every several days or weekly. When you are ready, you typically step down to intensive outpatient care.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) stresses that staying in treatment long enough is critical. PHP is usually one stage in a longer course of care. Learn more in our guide to how long rehab lasts.
How does PHP compare with other levels of care?
| Level of care | ASAM level (4th ed.) | Where you sleep | Typical hours | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-intensity residential | 3.5 | Facility | Daily therapy, 24-hour staff | Unstable home or repeated returns to use |
| Medically managed intensive outpatient | 2.7 | Home | Daily, with medical and withdrawal care | Needs medical monitoring but has a safe home |
| Partial hospitalization / high-intensity outpatient | 2.5 | Home | About 20 or more hours a week | Needs daily structure, medically stable |
| Intensive outpatient (IOP) | 2.1 | Home | Commonly about 9 to 19 hours a week | Can manage evenings or part-days, stable support |
| Outpatient therapy | 1.5 | Home | Fewer than 9 hours a week | Early recovery maintenance or mild SUD |
Does insurance cover partial hospitalization?
Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), substance use disorder services are an essential health benefit for Marketplace and most individual and small-group plans. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) generally requires that plans not limit these benefits more strictly than comparable medical benefits.
For PHP, coverage usually depends on:
- Medical necessity, often judged with ASAM Criteria
- Prior authorization and regular reviews during treatment
- In-network vs. out-of-network status
- Your deductible, copays or coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum
Plans vary by state, employer and plan type (HMO, PPO or EPO). Medicare covers partial hospitalization through hospital outpatient departments and community mental health centers when requirements are met. Medicaid coverage varies by state. PHP generally costs less than residential care but more than IOP, and costs vary widely. See our guide to the cost of rehab.
How do you choose a good PHP?
Look for:
- A state license for outpatient or partial hospitalization substance use treatment, which you can check with your state's health or behavioral health agency
- Accreditation from The Joint Commission or CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities)
- A psychiatrist or addiction medicine physician involved in care
- Clear schedules and hours that match the PHP level
- Access to medication and a plan for stepping down
Watch for red flags:
- "Free rent" sober homes offered if you enroll in a certain PHP. This model has been linked to fraud.
- Patient brokering, where recruiters are paid for each person they bring in. Kickbacks for referrals are illegal under the federal Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act of 2018 and many state laws.
- Free travel to an out-of-state program, plus gift cards or cash.
- Billing for a full day when the program only meets for a short time.
Our guide on how to choose a rehab covers more questions to ask.
What happens after PHP?
Most people step down to intensive outpatient care, then to standard outpatient therapy, with ongoing medication and peer support as needed. Sober living can add structure while you rebuild routines at work and home.
Ask your PHP team to help you set up the next step before your last day, ideally with a start date already scheduled. A good discharge plan lists your next program, any medication and who prescribes it, support meetings, and who to call if you start to struggle. If symptoms or cravings get worse later, you can step back up to PHP or a residential level.
To find a partial hospitalization program that fits your needs and insurance, call (877) 847-2855 to reach our admissions helpline. It's free and confidential.
