Is PHP Inpatient or Outpatient? Understanding Partial Hospitalization

Understanding the spectrum of mental health services can be confusing. 

Partial hospitalization programs are considered an outpatient level of care because participants do not live on-site. If you’re exploring your options for treatment, read on to learn more about this level of care that provides valuable support to many people experiencing mental health concerns. 

Is PHP Inpatient or Outpatient?  

Partial hospitalization programs are called such because of their hospital-like level of daily structure and services. However, PHP is considered outpatient because patients return to their own homes in the evening. 

This level of care serves as a bridge between highly restrictive inpatient hospital stays and other outpatient levels of care that don’t provide as much support or medical monitoring. 

The daily schedule can vary depending on the program and the patient's needs, but most involve five to six hours of clinical programming a day, four to seven days a week. 

What Happens in a Partial Hospitalization Program?

Every PHP will vary somewhat to account for the needs of the people they serve and each patient’s individual treatment plan. PHPs are staffed with psychotherapists, nurses, and psychiatric medication providers, and many also have peer support and care managers as well. 

What does a typical PHP day look like?

Most partial hospitalization programs involve a mix of clinical programming and services, including group therapy, individual therapy, educational programs, and psychiatric medication management. Patients enrolling in a PHP should expect to be oriented to their specific program and to be provided with a schedule of activities, services, and breaks. 

What therapeutic approaches are used in PHP?

Partial hospitalization programs employ a variety of treatment approaches. This can include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), along with other evidence-based therapies. The therapeutic approach will be tailored to meet the needs of those served by the program. 

Who Is PHP Designed For?

Partial hospitalization programs are typically for people who need daily clinical support but have a stable living environment, so they don’t require a hospital or residential setting. A clinical assessment by a licensed mental health professional is key to identifying the appropriate level of care placement. 

Signs that PHP may be the right level of care

PHP may be right for someone who is experiencing difficulty taking care of oneself, trouble fulfilling responsibilities, significant panic attacks and anxiety, obsessive behaviors and compulsions, depression and mood disorders, trauma, self-harm, thoughts of suicide, thoughts of harming others, or seeing and hearing things that aren’t there. 

Who typically steps down into PHP from inpatient

Many people step down from the inpatient level of care to PHP to ensure a smooth transition back into daily living. Having a robust source of support helps set people up for success after discharging from the hospital. The weeks following a hospital discharge are some of the most important when it comes to maintaining progress and staying on the best recovery path. 

Who may need a different level of care

Some people may not need as much structure included in a partial hospitalization program, or may not need the medical monitoring and medication services of a PHP, so an intensive outpatient program (IOP) may be better for them. 

If someone is experiencing active thoughts of suicide or homicide, is experiencing psychosis, or is otherwise unsafe, inpatient hospitalization or residential treatment may be the best option. Additionally, people experiencing severe medical problems or complications may require inpatient or residential treatment, such as in the case of co-occurring medical problems, substance use disorders, and eating disorders.

PHP vs. IOP vs. Inpatient: A Quick Comparison

Here is an overview of the key similarities and differences of intensive outpatient programs (IOP), partial hospitalization programs (PHP), and inpatient hospitalization programs.

Inpatient Hospitalization Programs

• Hours per week: 24/7 care with continuous medical and safety monitoring.
• Services include:
  • Group therapy
  • Individual therapy
  • Medication management
  • Care management
  • Nurse monitoring
  • Psychoeducation
  • Supportive housing
• Staff:
  • Psychotherapists
  • Nurses
  • Psychiatric medication providers
  • Often includes peer support specialists and care managers
• Housing:
  • Patients live onsite in a hospital or supportive residential setting.
• Best for:
  • Individuals who need the highest level of care due to significant mental health or substance use concerns requiring constant supervision and medical monitoring.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)

• Hours per week: 5–6 hours per day, 4–7 days per week.
• Services include:
  • Group therapy
  • Individual therapy
  • Medication management
  • Care management
  • Nurse monitoring
  • Psychoeducation
• Staff:
  • Psychotherapists
  • Nurses
  • Psychiatric medication providers
  • Many programs also include peer support specialists and care managers
• Housing:
  • Patients live at home or in a supportive living environment, such as a sober living home.
• Best for:
  • Individuals whose mental health symptoms significantly affect daily life and who need structured treatment and medical services, but have a safe and stable living environment.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)

• Hours per week: 3–4 hours per day, 3–5 days per week.
• Services include:
  • Group therapy
  • Care management
  • Psychoeducation
  • Some programs also offer:
    • Individual therapy
    • Medication management
    • Peer support
• Staff:
  • Primarily psychotherapists
  • Some programs also include psychiatric medication providers, peer support specialists, and care managers
• Housing:
  • Patients live at home or in a supportive living environment, such as a sober living home.
• Best for:
  • Individuals whose mental health symptoms interfere with daily life but who are safe to live at home and do not require intensive medical monitoring.

Virtual Urgent Mental Healthcare In New York State Through Willow Health

Willow Health offers New York residents mental health crisis and personalized intensive outpatient programs. Our intensive outpatient program offers participants group and individual therapy, medication management services for those who need it, as well as care management and peer coaching.

Our mission is to help more people access effective care when they need it most. To learn more about our crisis program and IOP, give us a call at 646-814-1530. 

Frequently Asked Questions About PHP

Here are some commonly asked questions about partial hospitalization programs. 

Is PHP the same as inpatient hospitalization?

No, a key difference between these programs is that patients live at home while attending PHP, whereas patients live on-site in an inpatient hospital or residential treatment program. 

Can PHP be done virtually or online?

Both IOP and PHP can be done virtually or online, depending on patients' needs and preferences. Some partial hospitalization programs may require in-person attendance for medical monitoring. Willow Health offers a virtual IOP for people interested in accessing care and support from the comfort of their own home.

How long does a PHP program typically last?

The length of stay in a partial hospitalization program depends on each person’s unique needs, as well as insurance coverage. The average is between two and three weeks. 

Does insurance cover partial hospitalization programs?

Most insurance plans do cover the PHP level of care. Insurer requirements for PHP approval can vary widely, so be sure to ask your treatment provider about coverage and prior authorization.