Ten minutes of good questions can tell you more about a treatment program than an hour on its website. Use this checklist when you call — and pay attention to how openly each question is answered.
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Licensing and Clinical Quality
- Is the facility licensed in its state, and is it accredited (for example by The Joint Commission or CARF)?
- What are the credentials of the clinical team — physicians, nurses, licensed therapists?
- What evidence-based therapies do you use, and how much individual therapy is included per week?
- Can you treat co-occurring mental health conditions (dual diagnosis)?
- Do you offer or coordinate medication-assisted treatment?
Program Structure
- What does a typical day look like at each level of care?
- What is the staff-to-client ratio, and is medical staff on-site around the clock?
- How are families involved in treatment?
- How do you decide when someone steps down to a lower level of care?
Cost and Insurance
- Are you in-network with my plan? What will my estimated out-of-pocket cost be?
- What exactly does the quoted price include — and what is billed separately?
- Who handles prior authorization and utilization reviews with my insurer?
Aftercare
- What does discharge planning look like, and when does it start?
- Do you help arrange sober living or aftercare?
- What alumni or ongoing support do you provide?
Red Flags
Be cautious of programs that guarantee outcomes, dodge licensing questions, pressure you to commit immediately, or refuse to give clear cost answers. Reputable programs welcome scrutiny. When in doubt, verify insurance first and compare more than one option — or call (888) 555-0123 and we will help you think it through.
Please note: This page is for information only. It is not medical advice, and we cannot guarantee treatment placement or insurance coverage. If this is an emergency, call 911, or call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

