Encouraging third-party coverage of partial hospitals.

Despite the proven clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of partial hospitals programs, any third-party insurers still refuse to offer coverage of their services. A number of clinical, administrative, and fiscal issues involving current partial hospital programming and the health care system in general have led to this difficulty. The author outlines these barriers, which include concerns about lack of cost accountability, lack of financial incentive to third parties, and lack of consumer interest, and makes specific recommendations on pursuing coverage of partial hospital programs. He urges a redefinition of the scope of partial hospital services and the development of detailed standards of treatment as prerequisites to pursuing third-party coverage.