Program level of care

Partial hospitalization (PHP) & intensive outpatient (IOP)

Partial hospitalization (PHP) and intensive outpatient (IOP) programs sit between weekly therapy and inpatient admission. They provide several hours of structured treatment per day — group therapy, individual sessions, medication management, and skills training — while you continue living at home.

PHP: Typically 5–6 hours a day, five days a week
IOP: Typically 3 hours a day, three to five days a week
Who they help: People stepping down from inpatient care or needing more than weekly therapy
Coverage: Usually covered as a behavioral-health benefit with authorization

Who these programs are for

Common reasons include depression or anxiety that is disrupting work or school, recent discharge from a hospital, mood instability that weekly sessions cannot contain, or substance-use recovery alongside mental-health treatment. Programs exist for adults, teens, and sometimes specific conditions such as eating disorders.

What a typical day includes

Most programs combine process groups, skills training (often CBT or DBT based), individual check-ins, and medication management with a prescriber. Many now offer virtual IOP tracks, which research suggests can work well for motivated patients.

Length and cost

Programs usually run two to six weeks, with step-downs from PHP to IOP as you improve. Insurance typically covers these levels of care when medically necessary, though prior authorization is standard. Ask the program to verify benefits before enrolling.

Common questions

Can I work during an IOP?

Often yes — many IOPs offer morning or evening tracks designed around work or school schedules.

Is a virtual program as good as in person?

For many people, yes. Studies of virtual IOPs show comparable outcomes for common conditions, though some situations call for in-person care.

This guide is educational and not medical advice. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.