Definitions for Levels of Care

Acute inpatient

The highest intensity of medical and nursing services provided within a structured environment providing 24-hour skilled nursing and medical care. Full and immediate access to ancillary medical care must be available for those programs not housed within general medical centers.

Residential treatment

Care provided at a subacute level with skilled nursing care. These may be intermediate care facilities (ICF) or have other licensing designations that may vary by state.

Partial hospital

An intensive, non-residential, level of service where multidisciplinary, medical and nursing services are required. This care is provided in a structured setting, similar in intensity to inpatient, meeting for more than four hours (and, generally, less than eight hours) daily. IT is generally offered on weekdays, but may be offered up to seven days per week.

Intensive outpatient

Multidisciplinary, structured services provided at a greater frequency and intensity than routine outpatient treatment. These services range from 90 minutes to up to four hours per day, up to five days per week. Common treatment modalities include individual, family, group and medication therapies.

Outpatient

The least intensive level of service. Typically provided in an office setting from 60 to 90 minutes (for group therapies) per day.

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