Level of Care

The intensity and type of treatment a person receives, ranging from early intervention to outpatient, intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, residential, and medically managed inpatient.

In the context of addiction treatment:
Clinicians use guidelines (like ASAM levels of care) to match people with the right intensity of services.

What to know:

  • Needs can change over time—people may step up or down in level of care as they stabilize or face new challenges.

  • Insurance coverage often depends on documented medical necessity for a given level.

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