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Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL (FAMILY, ADOLESCENTS, ADULTS)

How soon can admission be arranged?

Generally, as soon as you or your loved one desires. Admission depends on a completed evaluation by a McCallum Place Admissions Specialist, simply call 800-828-8158 ext. 34 to schedule one. We also will need you to obtain recent Labs and an EKG for our physician to review for all incoming patients. Please see below for more specifics.

What information does the staff need prior to acceptance at McCallum Place? Before your arrival, you need to provide the following by fax or mail:

  1. Blood work from within seven days of beginning treatment, including: Complete Blood Count (CBC), Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP), electrolytes, renal function tests, liver panel, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, protein, TB test, Hepatitis B screening, pregnancy test, and urinalysis. Download the Medical Form and give to your PCP to coordinate completing the above.
  2. An EKG twelve lead and rhythm strip from within seven days of admission.
  3. A complete physical exam and medical history. This physical exam should include a morning weight in gown, height, and postural vital signs.
  4. A Hepatitis A shot is recommended for those considering our transition house.
  5. A completed admissions evaluation, which will review your past treatments, goals and psychiatric history. This interview will also give you an opportunity to decide if McCallum Place fits your needs. Simply call an Admissions Specialist at (314) 968-1900 extension 34 or 26 to schedule one.

What is the typical length of stay at McCallum Place?

Patients stay an average of six to 8 weeks. Length of stay is determined based on patient need and is graduated according to his or her progress. Level of care is assessed many times throughout the week and adjusted accordingly if needed.

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How are treatment decisions made?

Our treatment team includes care from psychiatrists, psychotherapists, dietitians, nurses, and mental health workers who review progress of the preceding week. Treatment recommendations are based on one's ability to be successful in achieving their goals. Goals are revised as needed to encourage and support continued progress. Patient and family input is an important part of the process.

How frequently will I hear an update?

Families of adolescent patients are encouraged to attend one individual psychotherapy session offered each week. This allows for coordination of continued care with the family and provides an update to the families about the status of their child's or loved one's progress. All families of patients are also encouraged to attend Family Group every Monday from 4:30pm-5:30pm and Family Day held the second Saturday of each month. All these family programs are included in the cost of treatment..

Who should I contact with questions?

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What supports are available for families during treatment?

Family Support Programs

Family Group: A multi-family group is offered once weekly at no additional charge to families of patients on Monday evenings from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. This group is facilitated by Dr. Kim McCallum, MD, Lynn Stark, A.P.R.N., and Dr.Randy Flanery, Ph.D.  It is designed to answer questions or concerns and support family members who have a loved one in treatment at either McCallum Place or Webster Wellness Professionals.

Family Day: Additionally, McCallum Place hosts an all day educational and experiential program the second Saturday of every month from 8:30am-3:00pm. Family Day is facilitated by Dr. Kim McCallum, Psychologist Carol Dyer, our family therapist, and other specialists.

Will adolescents be accepted for treatment?

Yes! Our program can accommodate both adolescents age 12 and older and adults. Adolescent programming is modified to address their special developmental needs with a focus on family treatment. Adolescents who require intensive seven-day-a-week treatment may stay with their families. We also provide certified teachers and have built in times for tutoring while in treatment ensuring adolescents stay on track with school while in our treatment programming.

Are there tutors to help with my school work? Yes! Adolescents in Residential or PHP programming are provided with individual tutoring by licensed teachers four hours per week and built in time during treatment to complete homework assignments. There is no additional charge for this service

How large is your facility?

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PATIENTS

How are weight goals determined?

Weight goals are set by achievement of at least 90% of ideal body weight. Growth charts and medical records are reviewed and then weight gain recommendations are graduated based on incoming body weight and medical safety.

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How does the McCallum Place staff work with frequent purging?

The small number of patients allows for customized support and one-on-one supervision during the hours after eating. We take into account metabolism changes associated with purging so that weight gain is gradual and safe.

Can McCallum Place accommodate a vegetarian diet?

Yes! However, we cannot accommodate a strict vegan diet.

Am I allowed to go to school/keep my job while in treatment?

Yes, when appropriate. We encourage you to return to school or work however; Initially, most people take a leave of absence from school or work for anywhere from two weeks to two months to stabilize.

Can I maintain contact with family and friends?

Yes! We do not discourage contact with family and friends but require that contact occur outside of scheduled program events. Passes are granted as patients' goals are met. Passes outside the facility are offered to those in the recovery phase of treatment but not to those in the stabilization phase.

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Will I be allowed to exercise?

Yes, we have exercise and fitness built into our program week and it is a medically-informed fitness plan. Exercise goals and limits are determined individually, taking into account medical stability. Goals are reviewed and assessed each week. Depending on your readiness for exercise, a variety of exercise options are available, including daily 30 minute walks with staff, a weekly yoga group , a weekly dance and movement therapy group, a weekly NIA group, and a complete fitness facility. For those who need reconditioning, physical therapy can be arranged.

What can and should I bring?

You should bring comfortable clothing, suitable for participating in active groups, such as dance therapy or yoga. Bring weather-sensitive clothing for outdoor activities. We encourage you to bring comfort items such as photographs or a favorite pillow. Please do not bring items of value or large amounts of cash. Cell phones and laptops are permitted.

Is there anything I am not allowed to bring?

You will not be allowed to bring food of any kind, diet pills, laxatives, non-approved vitamins, or weapons. Because certain magazines can trigger negative thoughts, they are prohibited as well. Additionally, clothing advertising alcohol or drugs is prohibited.

Are caffeine, cigarettes, gum, and diet soda permitted?

Yes! All of the above are permitted in reasonable quantities. Smoking is permitted only at designated times and areas of the facility. It is our goal to encourage healthy habits that will also be continued once treatment is completed. Therefore, while we do not exclude certain types of food, we do encourage and support finding a reasonable balance in their inclusion in one's diet.

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What if I need hospitalization, intravenous feedings, or tube feedings?

We avoid hospitalization, IVs, and tube feedings unless absolutely necessary. If necessary, the staff will transport you to a nearby hospital until you are stable enough to return to McCallum Place. Dr. McCallum will continue to work with you while you are at the hospital and will coordinate care with other physicians. Our medical team can place and maintain tube feedings on site for our patients.

Are pets allowed?

Your pet(s) are welcome to visit however no pets may stay overnight.

THERAPISTS

Who is a candidate for treatment?

McCallum Place is available for patients with a variety of needs and concerns. We are able to facilitate weight gain for those who have been unable to gain weight in outpatient settings. Generally, we can also accommodate patients needing tube feeding who are not below 60% ideal body weight. Patients with bulimia shift away from a cycle of frequent binge eating and purging to actively working on changing their relationship with food.

All meals are structured and closely monitored. Patients who are at risk of purging are monitored after the meal. Our meal groups allow patients an opportunity to begin a more balanced relationship with themselves through eating and build continuity over the course of several meals, a benefit that often cannot be achieved in outpatient therapy.

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Can I maintain contact with my client/patient?

Yes! We encourage you to continue contact with your client/patient during their stay at McCallum Place. With consent, we will keep you informed of progress, including information about treatment goals and a summary of treatment upon discharge. Also, we invite you to attend the weekly treatment planning meeting in person or by phone, so that we can best coordinate the patient's care with you.

Will I be consulted in the goals of treatment?

Yes! We encourage your input in the initial setup of treatment goals for your client/patient and welcome your feedback during the weekly treatment team meeting.

Will I receive discharge information?

Yes! All patients develop a discharge plan during their stay, which includes goals for continued treatment and strategies for relapse prevention. This plan is developed by the client/patient with the support of their primary therapist and feedback from other clients/patients in the program. In addition, we prepare a summary of treatment to acknowledge achievements made during the stay and identify concerns for continued work outside of McCallum Place. This will be mailed to after your patient/client is discharged with patient consent.

Will insurance pay for any of the treatments?

Usually yes! McCallum Place is an in network provider for many types of Blue Cross and Aetna Health plans. If you have some form of the above, please consult with your insurance company to see if your treatment at McCallum Place will be covered under your individual policy. Please check with your plan regarding prepays or coinsurance.

McCallum Place is not licensed as a Medicare or Medicaid provider. For those patients who are out-of-network, some or all of the cost of treatment may still be covered by your insurance company. If you are out of network, payment is due up front as services are rendered. McCallum Place will submit claims on your behalf to your insurance company so that you may receive reimbursement from your insurance company up to the limits of your insurance coverage. You will need to keep your account with McCallum Place current and lack of reimbursement from your insurance company will not be considered justification for non-payment.

We will attempt to pre-certify treatment with your insurance company when appropriate. There is often a delay of several weeks or even months before your insurance company will reimburse you for the cost of treatment. Almost all of our patients receive some level of reimbursement from their insurance companies but insurance reimbursement varies widely by company and coverage type. It is a good idea to consult your insurance company directly prior to admission to determine what level of insurance reimbursement you can expect.

Note: We find families that advocate for themselves with insurance companies have the best success. We will do everything in our power to help you access your benefits to support your treatment.

What is there to do in St. Louis?

Please visit www.explorestlouis.com for an electronic version of St. Louis' Visitor's Guide about upcoming events, restaurants, maps, and things to do during your stay.

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