When mental health treatments are necessary, it’s important to understand that every patient is unique. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all treatment plan that works for everyone. Instead, each person and their family need to evaluate available solutions while consulting with doctors and mental health experts to design a personalized treatment plan.
Comparing the Differences Between Inpatient vs. Outpatient Care
Recent data shows that outpatient care is used more often than inpatient care. While both inpatient and outpatient care can be helpful for treating mental health conditions, there are distinct differences between the two. Here is an overview so you can learn more about each of these treatment options:
Treatment
Outpatient care is more flexible, with fewer hours of treatment time and appointments scheduled around the patient’s normal life schedule. This approach can be beneficial for mild mental health conditions, but it typically isn’t sufficient for patients with moderate or more severe mental health issues.
On the other hand, inpatient mental health treatment is more intensive and structured. Since the patient is staying at the clinic, they receive 24/7 support from mental health experts. More treatment and therapy hours can be completed in a shorter amount of time because the patient is not trying to juggle responsibilities at home or work.
Providers
Access to different types of mental health providers varies depending on the type of program you choose. For example, outpatient care usually involves therapy appointments with one provider. There may be additional appointments for group sessions.
Within the walls of an inpatient treatment center, you will have access to a full range of mental health experts. Not only are doctors and nurses are typically available to assist with appointments and urgent needs, but therapists, psychiatrists, and other medical experts are on staff to ensure that patients receive the timely, personalized care they require.
Cost
Since outpatient mental health services are minimal in terms of time commitment each week, the overall costs are cheaper compared to an inpatient program. But these cost factors can be deceiving, especially if the outpatient care isn’t sufficient for the patient’s recovery. For example, a person might be going to weekly therapy sessions for years without ever achieving the desired recovery.
On the other hand, the upfront costs for an inpatient program are higher, but they are a great investment when you consider how quickly each patient can recover and get back to their daily living again.
One other factor to consider when comparing the costs is your available insurance coverage. Depending on your insurance plan, you might only have coverage available for certain treatments. Also, look at your co-pays and annual deductible to evaluate your anticipated out-of-pocket expenses. The good news is First Light Recovery has in-network insurance agreements with Anthem BlueCross, Kaiser Permanente, Magellan, HMC Healthworks, First Health, Multiplan, United Healthcare, and the latest, Anthem Pathway to help you get the care you need.
The Importance of Choosing the Right Level of Care
There’s no doubt that the type of mental health treatment program you choose will impact both immediate and long-term results. When it comes to mental health, early intervention is always the best solution. In fact, early intervention can save lives.
If you are trying to make the tough choice between inpatient and outpatient care, then talk to doctors and other professionals for personalized recommendations. They will all agree that the right level of care directly influences the immediate success rate, as well as the risk of relapse. For example, if a person is experiencing severe mental health concerns, then it’s often recommended to skip outpatient care and choose the more intensive services that are available through an inpatient program.
Another reason the right level of care matters is because it allows for customized treatment plans based on each individual’s specific needs. The more customized the treatment plan, the more effective it is in achieving the desired results.
Finally, patients and families need to look at the cost vs. benefit analysis. Choosing the right level of care initially can save a substantial amount of money in the future. Remember that future relapses and hospitalizations can be more costly, which is why it makes sense to select the ideal level of care upfront.
Comparing Your Options: Inpatient or Outpatient Mental Health Care
The specific treatment program depends on your unique needs, including your diagnosis and the severity of your symptoms.
Inpatient care is usually recommended for people who have severe symptoms and are at risk for self-harm or other complications. In these situations, monitoring is necessary at all times of day and night to ensure the person’s safety.
Outpatient care is appropriate for people with milder symptoms. Or, it’s common for people to transition from an inpatient to an outpatient program, helping to ensure long-term success in the coming months and years.
Tips for Choosing Between Outpatient and Inpatient Programs
Here are a few essential things you should consider when choosing between an outpatient vs. inpatient mental health care program:
- Lifestyle Considerations: Work and family responsibilities always need to be assessed to determine how personal obligations can be adjusted to accommodate mental health treatment. Since mental health challenges can interfere with functioning at work and home, it makes sense to prioritize your treatment program whenever possible. Your mental health providers will discuss your personal obligations when helping you make the decision between outpatient and inpatient care.
- Severity of Mental Health Symptoms: It’s essential to take a detailed look at the way the mental health challenges are impacting your overall life. Severe symptoms can cause a person to be ineffective or even dangerous in normal daily activities. So, the level of severity is an essential factor that doctors consider when making recommendations for the type of care.
- Access to Support Networks: Another thing to consider is how much support the patient has at home and in the community. If the home environment is contributing to these mental health concerns, then it often makes sense to remove the patient from the situation so they can recover in an inpatient clinic. When there is limited support at home, then inpatient treatment is almost always the right answer.
- Personal Preferences: While it’s essential to consult with mental health care professionals, you also need to use this information along with your own personal preferences. Personal factors that might influence your decision include the desire for independence, the type of environment you prefer, and privacy concerns.
- Co-Occurring Diagnosis: Often, patients with mental health concerns are also suffering from co-occurring issues. For example, if someone with severe mental health issues is using drugs or alcohol as a way to cope, then it’s likely that they will benefit from an integrated treatment program that addresses the addictive patterns and mental health simultaneously.
Finally, make sure you are always focusing on your long-term recovery goals. Make sure that the level of care you choose not only provides the immediate relief you desire but also supports the results you would like to maintain in the future.
Transitioning Between Care Levels
Ensuring continuity of care is essential for every patient, making it easier to transition from an intensive treatment program back into daily life activities once again. Once a patient completes an inpatient program successfully, the ideal approach is to use a gradual reduction of care. This process involves stepping down the level of care instead of making abrupt changes, with the goal of ensuring a smooth transition as much as possible.
Throughout the transition, doctors and therapists can monitor the patient’s progress to determine the appropriate transitions that move the individual to more independence over time. Each patient needs a personalized transition plan, taking into account their progress, needs, and any challenges that might be faced along the way.
The Importance of Ongoing Care
Just because you have completed an inpatient treatment program successfully, it doesn’t mean you are “out of the woods” yet. The reality is that mental health patients can relapse, sometimes moving through seemingly endless cycles of ups and downs.
By transitioning from inpatient to outpatient treatment, it helps to reduce the risk of relapse. Patients can tap into ongoing care, such as therapy, support groups, and appointments with their healthcare providers. These touch points enable others to evaluate the patient’s progress and current condition, and adjustments can be made as needed to contribute to their sustained recovery.
It’s also important for each patient to have a strong support system, including friends, family, and other community resources. This ongoing support offers structure and care to assist the patient in working through the difficult times that might arise in the future.
Common Misconceptions About Inpatient Care
While it makes sense that inpatient care is needed for patients with extreme cases, the truth is that these programs can be helpful for a wide range of individuals. The key is that inpatient care can be supportive for people who need fast and effective mental health recovery.
On the other hand, don’t assume that outpatient care is less effective compared to inpatient care. There are circumstances when outpatient treatments make sense, depending on the person’s individual needs. Each patient is different, which is why mental health professionals should be involved in making these important decisions.
Finally, the last misconception is that inpatient care is always more expensive than outpatient care. There are often options to reduce out-of-pocket expenses, such as insurance coverage, sliding scales, and payment plans. The truth is that inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment can be accessible to everyone.
Call the Mental Health Experts
If you are looking for mental health services for yourself or a loved one, then reach out to us to learn more about available treatment options. We will schedule a consultation to discuss the possibilities. Contact our experienced team at First Light Recovery.
