OUTPATIENT PROGRAM

The outpatient program (OPP) is a hospital-based psychiatric service that functions as after-care for discharged partial hospitalization (PHP) patients. The OPP is a step-down from PHP in the continuum of care. Admission to the program is based on a need for evaluation, observation and control of psychiatric symptoms.

Purpose
The OPP helps reduce or control the patient's psychiatric symptoms to prevent relapse requiring a higher level of care.

Method
A weekly one-hour group therapy session focusing on cognitive changes, process, coping skills and education. The OPP staff communicates with other professionals and care providers as needed. Discharge planning includes referrals to community resources.

Attendance
Patients attend the one-hour group one to five times a week, depending on their level of need. More than three absences in row is potential for discharge from the program. Frequent absences are evaluated in regard to the patient's need for the program and treatment compliance issues.

Psychiatric consultation
The program psychiatrist sees the OPP patients at least once a month. If they are currently seeing other psychiatrists, they will continue receiving prescriptions and/or psychotherapy from that MD. Patients need to see the program psychiatrist for continuing evaluation of the need for the OPP service. If the OPP psychiatrist has a concern regarding the patient's treatment, he/she will contact the patient's primary psychiatrist or direct his designee to communicate the concern.

Payment for services
The cost for the OPP group can be billed to Medicare, private insurance or private pay as group psychotherapy (process group).

Transportation
Patients are encouraged to use private or public means of transportation to maximize their independent functioning. Transportation can be provided with advance notice if the patient is not able to access alternatives.