Treatment After a Psychiatric Hospitalization
A planned next step after an inpatient stay or a 5150 hold, so the work started in the hospital continues. For patients, families and discharge planners.
- Residential or PHP, often straight after discharge
- Timing and records coordinated with the hospital team
- Higher-acuity adults accepted when medically stable
- Weekly psychiatry and a trauma therapist on every team
- Works with many PPO plans, and verification is free
If this is a medical emergency, call 911. For a mental health or suicide crisis, call or text 988.
After the hospital: for patients, families and clinicians
Pick the one that fits. Everything below applies to all three.
For patients
I am in the hospital
- Call several days before discharge
- Residential or PHP, straight after
Go to section
For families
Someone I love is in the hospital
- You can call before they are ready
- They sign their own consent
Go to section
For discharge planners
I am a discharge planner
- Records usually asked for
- Acuity accepted and how to refer
Go to section
Plan the move before discharge
The best time to call is several days before discharge, not on the day. That leaves time for records, the assessment and the insurance check, so there is no gap between the hospital and Wings.
- 1
Before discharge
Call admissions
The patient, a family member or the hospital team calls. A short phone screen covers what happened and what is needed next.
- 2
Before discharge
Assessment and insurance
Admissions reviews the records, completes the clinical assessment and checks benefits and authorization with the plan.
- 3
Discharge day
Straight to Wings
A start date set to follow discharge, with the move from the hospital to Wings planned ahead.
No gap
Admissions answers calls 9 a.m.–5 p.m., seven days a week.
Who Wings can take after a hospital stay
Wings takes higher-acuity adults who are medically stable and agree to treatment. The clinical assessment decides the right level of care.
Usually accepted
Needs a different level of care first
- Still in danger, or not yet medically stable
- Active psychosis
- Needs medical detox first
- Primary eating disorder
- Under 18
Admissions helps with the next step in each case.
Residential or PHP after the hospital
Most people step down to residential. Some are ready for PHP. Either way, they keep the same therapist as they continue to IOP.
Most common · 24/7 supportResidential
Full therapy days and 24/7 support at a Wings home. The most common next step after a hospital stay.
Learn more
5 days · about 6 hoursPartial hospitalization (PHP)
Five days a week of treatment, living in supportive housing or at home, for people stable enough to go home in the evenings.
Learn more
When someone you love is in the hospital
You can call before discharge
Admissions can explain the options, the levels of care and how the move works, even before they are ready to call.
They make the final decision
They are an adult, so they agree to treatment and sign their own consent. We need it before we share details about their care.
Ask the hospital team to call too
The social worker or discharge planner can send records and coordinate the date with admissions.
Records to send with a referral after hospitalization
Admissions confirms what is needed for each referral. These are the records usually asked for.
- Discharge summary
- Current medication list
- Psychiatric evaluation and progress notes
- Recent labs, if any
- Insurance card details
- Contact for the treating psychiatrist or social worker
Referring a patient?
Call admissions to start the referral. Records are shared securely, and admissions coordinates timing, the assessment and insurance authorization.
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Office hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m., seven days a week
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Wings works with many PPO insurance plans
Admissions verifies your benefits before admission, free and confidential. For Medi-Cal or Medicare, admissions can point you to programs that accept them.
Questions about treatment after a hospital stay
Timing, records, 5150 holds, calling as a family, and insurance.
Don't see your question?
Admissions answers calls 9 a.m.–5 p.m., seven days a week. Calls are confidential.
Call(760) 388-6369Visits, phones, what to bring and more in the admissions FAQ →All the ways to reach Wings →Can someone come to Wings straight from a psychiatric hospital?
Yes. Wings is often the next step after an inpatient stay or a 5150 hold. Admissions works with the hospital team so the start date follows discharge.
When should we call?
As early as possible, ideally several days before discharge. That leaves time for the assessment, records and the insurance check.
What records does Wings need?
Usually the discharge summary, current medication list, psychiatric evaluation and progress notes, recent labs and insurance details. Admissions confirms what is needed for each referral.
Does Wings accept people after a 5150 hold?
Yes, when they are medically stable and agree to treatment. Wings is voluntary, and the clinical assessment decides the right level of care.
My son or daughter is in the hospital and is an adult. Can I call?
Yes. You can call admissions to understand the options. Because they are an adult, they make the final decision and sign their own consent.
Who does Wings refer elsewhere?
People who are not yet medically stable, those with active psychosis, people who need medical detox first, primary eating disorders and anyone under 18. Admissions helps with the next step.
Will insurance cover treatment after a hospital stay?
Wings works with many PPO plans, including Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, Aetna and UnitedHealthcare. Admissions handles verification and authorization at no cost. If you have Medi-Cal or Medicare, admissions can point you to programs that accept them.