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NEDA TOOLKIT for Parents Treatment settings and levels of care Several types of treatment centers and levels of care are available for treating eating disorders. Knowing the terms used to describe these is important because insurance benefits (and the duration of benefits) are tied not only to a patient’s diagnosis, but also to the type of treatment setting and level of care. Treatment is delivered in hospitals, residential treatment facilities, and private office settings. Levels of care consist of acute short-term inpatient care, partial inpatient care, intensive outpatient care (by day or evening), and outpatient care. Acute inpatient hospitalization is necessary when a patient is medically or psychiatrically unstable. Once a patient is medically stable, he/she is discharged from a hospital, and ongoing care is typically delivered at a subacute care residential treatment facility. The level of care in such a facility can be full-time inpatient, partial inpatient, intensive outpatient by day or evening, and outpatient. There are also facilities that operate only as outpatient facilities. Outpatient psychotherapy and medical follow-up may also be delivered in a private office setting. The treatment setting and level of care should complement the general goals of treatment. Typically, goals are: to medically stabilize the patient; help the patient to stop destructive behaviors (i.e., restricting foods, binge eating, purging/nonpurging); and address and resolve any coexisting mental health problems that may be triggering the behavior. Patients with severe symptoms often begin treatment as inpatients and move to less intensive programs as symptoms subside. Hospitalization may be required for complications of the disorder, such as electrolyte imbalances, irregular heart rhythm, dehydration, severe underweight, or acute life-threatening mental breakdown. Partial hospitalization may be required when the patient is medically stable, and not a threat to him/ herself or others, but still needs structure to continue the healing process. Partial hospitalization programs last between 3 and 12 hours per day, depending on the patient’s needs. Psychotherapy and drug therapy are available in all the care settings. Many settings provide additional care options that can be included as part of a tailored treatment plan. Support groups may help a patient to maintain good mental health and may prevent relapse after discharge from a more intensive program. The intensity and duration of treatment depends on: insurance coverage limits and ability to pay for treatment; severity and duration of the disorder; mental health status; and coexisting medical or psychological disorders. A health professional on the treatment team will make treatment recommendations after examining and consulting with the patient. Criteria for treatment setting and levels of care Inpatient Patient is medically unstable as determined by: Unstable or depressed vital signs Laboratory findings presenting acute health risk Complications due to coexisting medical problems such as diabetes Patient is psychiatrically unstable as determined by: Rapidly worsening symptoms Suicidal and unable to contract for safety Residential Patient is medically stable and requires no intensive medical intervention. Patient is psychiatrically impaired and unable to respond to partial hospital or outpatient treatment. Page | 59