Partial hospitalization program California
A partial hospitalization program delivers structured care without an overnight stay. In California, 183 facilities list PHP services on SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov as of November 2026. This guide covers who it fits, what a usual day looks like, and how to cover the cost.
- care options in California
- 183
- take Medicaid
- 70
- accept private plans
- 174
A partial hospitalization program, or PHP, is a day treatment model for people with a substance use disorder who need more structure than weekly counseling yet do not require 24-hour supervision. In California, 183 facilities list PHP services through SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov as of November 2026. A usual day lasts five to six hours and may include group therapy, individual counseling, medication management, and education. Come evening, you go back home or to a sober living house.
The schedule varies by program, but most PHPs operate four to five days a week. For many people in California, PHP provides more structure than outpatient care without a residential stay, which matters if you have work or family obligations. Some facilities offer telehealth options; among PHP providers, 153 list virtual services and 151 offer specialized tracks. A day may start with a check-in group, move through a skills session, and end with a planning meeting. Medical supervision is available on site, but you do not sleep there.
Paying for a PHP in California
What you pay rests on the facility and your health plan. Among PHP providers in California, 174 take private insurance, 70 take Medicaid, 40 take Medicare, and 50 offer sliding-fee scales. Since California expanded Medicaid, more adults with low incomes may qualify for Medi-Cal than in states that did not expand. If you have Medi-Cal, ask which California PHP programs are in network, because a listing that accepts it does not promise coverage of every service. Federal parity law requires many plans to cover substance use and mental health services on par with medical care. The helpline can help you draft questions for your insurer, though it cannot promise coverage or admission.
PHP expectations
Assessment and level-of-care recommendation
A licensed clinician goes over your history, your substance use, any mental health symptoms, and where you live. That assessment decides whether PHP is the right level of care or whether medical detox should happen first. What you get is a clinical recommendation, not a promise of admission.
Daily schedule and treatment planning
Most programs meet for several hours a day, several days each week. Your plan may involve group therapy, individual sessions, family involvement, and medication management. When a person has a dual diagnosis, the program should coordinate care for both mental health and substance use. When a dual diagnosis is present, a PHP offering integrated services may be a better fit than one treating substance use alone.
Medical oversight and withdrawal safety
PHP includes medical oversight, yet it is not a residential detox setting. Stopping alcohol and benzodiazepines can be hazardous and requires medical oversight. When you are at risk, a clinician may suggest detox before PHP begins. Never try to taper on your own.
Step-down planning
As you stabilize, the team may transition you to intensive outpatient or standard outpatient care. If you need a lower level of care, there are 387 intensive outpatient facilities in California. The goal is a safe step-down, not an abrupt stop.
What a PHP program fits
- People stepping down from inpatient or residential care who need continued structure but are ready to return home at night.
- People with a dual diagnosis who need coordinated substance use and mental health services; 153 PHP providers in California list dual diagnosis services.
- People who have a stable living environment and reliable transportation to attend several days a week.
- People who need more than intensive outpatient care but do not require 24-hour medical monitoring.
PHP access and payment in California
Not every rehab in California offers PHP. Of the 947 facilities listed on SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov, 183 list partial hospitalization services. Across California, 70 PHP providers accept Medicaid and 174 accept private insurance, while 40 accept Medicare and 50 offer sliding-fee scales. If you are comparing rehabs in California, ask each center which plans they are in network with, because listed acceptance does not guarantee coverage for every service.
Location is the other practical filter. PHP requires regular attendance, so a program across the state is not realistic for most people. A California PHP center that offers telehealth may reduce travel time, and 151 PHP providers list telehealth services. If you live in a rural area, confirm that the virtual option covers the level of care you need. Call the helpline if you want help narrowing the list by county and payment type.
- take Medicaid
- 70
- accept private plans
- 174
- take Medicare
- 40
- provide sliding-scale pricing
- 50
| Location | Town | Offers | Takes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breakaway Health Corporation | Costa Mesa | PHP, IOP, Outpatient | Insurance, Sliding fee |
| Twin Town Treatment Centers | Los Alamitos | PHP, IOP, Outpatient | Medicaid, Insurance, Sliding fee |
| Found Recovery | Agoura Hills | Detox, PHP, IOP, Outpatient | Insurance |
| FOY Wellness and Recovery | Agoura Hills | PHP, IOP, Outpatient | Insurance |
| Action Family Counseling | Santa Clarita | PHP, IOP, Outpatient | Medicaid, Medicare, Insurance |
| Compassion Recovery Centers | Laguna Hills | PHP, IOP, Outpatient | Medicare, Insurance, Sliding fee |
| Cornerstone Center for Counseling and | Tehachapi | Detox, PHP, IOP, Outpatient | Medicaid, Medicare, Insurance, Sliding fee |
| Lighthouse Treatment Inc | Anaheim | PHP, IOP, Outpatient | Medicaid, Insurance |
| Hatch Behavioral Health | Anaheim | PHP, IOP, Outpatient | Insurance |
| Newport Academy | Anaheim | Residential, PHP, IOP, Outpatient | Insurance |
Good to know
How many partial hospitalization programs are in California?
As of November 2026, 183 facilities in California list partial hospitalization services on SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov. That number includes a range of program types and payment options. Because listings change, confirm current availability directly with the facility. If you are searching for a PHP, the helpline can help you narrow options by county, payment, and language.
Does Medi-Cal pay for PHP in California?
Medicaid is accepted by some PHP providers, specifically 70 of the 183 California facilities that list PHP. Medi-Cal is the name of California's Medicaid program, and the state has adopted Medicaid expansion. Whether care is covered still rests on medical necessity and the details of your plan. Before booking an assessment, ask the facility if it is in network with your Medi-Cal managed care plan.
How long are inpatient programs compared with PHP?
PHP is not inpatient care. A usual PHP schedule means several hours each day, several days each week, and you return home at night. Inpatient programs offer 24-hour supervision. California has 351 inpatient and residential rehab facilities for people who need care around the clock. A clinician can help work out which level fits your situation.
What are the common reasons people go to rehab?
Treatment is sought for various reasons, such as alcohol, opioids, stimulants, and mental health conditions that occur alongside addiction. PHP could suit a person who requires structured care but does not need overnight monitoring. Among PHP providers in California, 153 offer dual diagnosis services and 151 provide telehealth. When unsure which level of care is appropriate, a clinical assessment is usually the starting point.
Is alcohol withdrawal dangerous in a PHP setting?
Withdrawal from alcohol can be hazardous and sometimes life-threatening. PHP provides medical oversight, yet it is not a residential detox program. When severe withdrawal is a concern, a clinician might suggest medical detox prior to beginning PHP. In California, 358 facilities list medical detox. Never try to handle withdrawal by yourself or change medication without advice from a medical professional.
Can I use private insurance for a PHP in California?
Usually yes, provided the program sits in your plan's network. Among California's 183 PHP facilities, 174 take private insurance. Federal parity law requires many plans to cover substance use treatment on par with medical care, but network status and prior authorization rules still apply. Call your insurer and ask directly about partial hospitalization benefits and what your out-of-pocket expense would amount to.