Partial Hospitalization Programs in Pompano Beach and Broward County: How to Find the Right PHP

Looking for a partial hospitalization program (PHP) in Pompano Beach or elsewhere in Broward County? Here's how PHP works, what local options look like, how to pay for it, and the Florida-specific checks that help you choose a program you can trust.

A partial hospitalization program, or PHP, gives you a full day of treatment for mental health or substance use and lets you sleep at home at night. If you live in or near Pompano Beach, you have more choices than most of the country. Within 25 miles of Pompano Beach, Waypoint lists 30 programs that offer partial hospitalization, from Fort Lauderdale up through Deerfield Beach, Boca Raton and Delray Beach.

That many options is good news, but it also makes choosing harder. This guide covers how PHP works, what the local programs look like, how to pay for care, and a few Florida-specific checks worth making before you commit.

If you or someone you love is in danger right now, call or text 988, or call 911.

What a PHP is, in brief

PHP is the most structured level of care you can get without staying overnight. Most programs run five days a week for about five to six hours a day, often 20 hours or more a week. A typical day mixes group therapy, individual sessions, skills work, and visits with a psychiatrist or other prescriber for medication.

People usually go to PHP in one of two situations:

• Stepping down after a hospital stay, detox or residential treatment, when they are stable enough to go home but still need daily support.
• Stepping up from outpatient therapy or an intensive outpatient program (IOP) when symptoms are getting worse and weekly sessions are not enough.

For the full picture, see our guide to what a partial hospitalization program is. If you only need a few hours a few days a week, intensive outpatient programs may be a better fit.

PHP options in Pompano Beach and nearby

Based on Waypoint's directory, here is what partial hospitalization looks like around Pompano Beach:

• Close to home: 13 programs are within 10 miles of Pompano Beach, and 19 are within 15 miles.
• Where they are: Fort Lauderdale has the largest group (12 programs), followed by Delray Beach, Pompano Beach, Boynton Beach, Lake Worth and Boca Raton.
• Addiction and mental health: About two thirds of nearby PHPs (21 of 30) also treat substance use disorders. All 30 say they treat co-occurring conditions, meaning mental health and substance use together.
• Telehealth: About half (16 of 30) offer some services by telehealth. Most PHP days still happen in person, so ask what parts can be done remotely.
• Specialized programs: Eight nearby PHPs list eating disorder treatment, and at least one serves adolescents. If you need a specialty program, filter for it rather than assuming a general PHP can meet that need.
• Step-down built in: Most nearby PHPs (19 of 30) also run an IOP, which makes it easier to step down without changing providers.

Search partial hospitalization programs near Pompano Beach on Waypoint to compare them on a map, filter by the care you need, and call programs directly.

Mental health PHP vs. addiction PHP

Searches for "PHP mental health treatment" and "PHP rehab" often lead to the same programs, but the focus can differ.

• Mental health PHPs treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma and PTSD, or eating disorders. Expect daily groups, a psychiatrist on the team, and close medication management.
• Addiction PHPs (sometimes called "day treatment" for substance use) focus on relapse prevention, cravings and recovery skills. Many offer medications for alcohol or opioid use disorder.
• Co-occurring programs treat both at once. If you live with both conditions, ask how the program handles both, not just which one it "specializes" in.

How to pay for PHP in Florida

Private insurance. Federal parity law requires most health plans to cover mental health and substance use treatment on terms comparable to medical care. Call the number on your card and ask whether partial hospitalization is covered, whether it needs prior authorization, and which local programs are in network. Our guide to insurance coverage for treatment walks through the questions to ask.

Florida Medicaid. Most Floridians with Medicaid get care through a managed care plan, and Florida Medicaid covers a broad range of inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services. Ask your plan which partial hospitalization programs in Broward County are in its network.

Medicare. Medicare Part B may cover partial hospitalization for mental health when it is provided through a hospital outpatient department or a community mental health center and you meet certain requirements. Confirm that the program you are considering is set up to bill Medicare.

No insurance or not enough coverage. Florida's publicly funded mental health and substance use services are run locally by managing entities. In Broward County, that is the Broward Behavioral Health Coalition (BBHC), which receives state funding and oversees more than 30 local providers. If cost is the barrier, start there or call 211.

Free local help lines

You do not have to figure this out alone. These services are free and confidential:

1. Call or text 988. The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 for mental health and substance use crises.
2. Call 211 in Broward County. 211 Broward offers 24/7 crisis support and connections to local resources. You can also reach it at 954-537-0211.
3. Broward Behavioral Health Coalition. As the state-designated managing entity for Broward County, BBHC can point you to publicly funded treatment.

Not sure what level of care you need? Our free self-assessment guide can help you frame the conversation before you call a program.

Florida-specific checks before you choose

South Florida has a large treatment industry, and that brings some extra things to watch for. These checks take a few minutes and can protect you.

Check the license. Substance use treatment programs in Florida must be licensed by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). You can confirm a provider's license through DCF. Ask mental health programs which agency licenses or accredits them as well.

Be cautious with "free" offers. Florida law prohibits paying or accepting kickbacks, bonuses or other benefits in exchange for patient referrals, under the Florida Patient Brokering Act. Be wary of anyone offering free travel, free housing, cash or gifts if you enroll in a specific program.

Ask about housing referrals. Some people attending PHP live in sober housing. In Florida, licensed treatment providers generally may only refer patients to recovery residences that hold a valid certificate of compliance. If a program suggests a sober home, ask whether it is certified. Our guide to choosing a recovery residence covers what else to look for.

Ask direct questions on the first call:

• How many hours a day, and how many days a week?
• Who leads the groups, and how often will I see a psychiatrist or prescriber?
• Do you treat both mental health and substance use?
• Are you in network with my insurance or Medicaid plan?
• What happens when I'm ready to step down? Do you offer IOP?
• Do you help with transportation?

If someone needs help but won't go

Families in Florida sometimes ask about the Baker Act and the Marchman Act. Both allow an involuntary assessment for someone at risk of harming themselves or others. According to the Florida Hospital Association, the Baker Act applies to mental health conditions and the Marchman Act applies to substance use. These are serious legal processes, usually for emergencies, and PHP itself is voluntary. If you are worried about someone's safety right now, call 988 or 911.

Next steps

1. Decide whether you need mental health care, addiction care, or both.
2. Call your insurance or Medicaid plan and ask about PHP coverage.
3. Search Waypoint for partial hospitalization programs near Pompano Beach and make a short list of two or three.
4. Check each program's license and ask the questions above.

Not in South Florida? The same steps work anywhere. Browse programs by type of care to find partial hospitalization near you, in all 50 states and Washington, DC.

This article is for general information and is not medical or legal advice. Program details change, so confirm hours, services and coverage directly with each provider.