Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL (FAMILY, ADOLESCENTS,
ADULTS)
How soon can admission be
arranged?
The waiting period can be a few days to a few weeks,
depending on our patient population and their estimated
discharge from the treatment program.
What is the typical length of
stay at McCallum Place?
Patients stay an average of six to 12 weeks. We require
that patients begin with a two-week commitment for
Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and/or a 30-day commitment for those requiring
24-Hour/Intensive
Care. Length of stay is
determined based on patient need and is graduated
according to his or her progress. Level of care is
assessed on a weekly basis and adjusted accordingly.
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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 the patients progress of the preceding
week. Treatment recommendations are based on the patients
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 required to attend one
of the individual psychotherapy sessions offered each
week. This allows for a coordination of continued care
with the family and provides an update to the families
about the status of their childs progress. Adult patients
are encouraged to include their families as needed in
psychotherapy sessions.
Who should I contact with
questions?
▪Medical concerns, including
medication: Lynn Stark, A.P.R.N., or each patients
individual psychiatrist
▪Program concerns, including
outside interruptions, such as times patient will not be
in treatment: Lynn Stark
▪Psychological or overall
progress: patients individual therapist
▪Insurance
certification: UR Coordinator
▪Billing: Chris Colombo or
Mark McCallum.
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What supports are available for
families during treatment?
A multi-family group is offered once weekly at no
additional charge to families of patients on Monday
evenings from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This group is
designed to answer questions and concerns from family
members who have a loved one currently in treatment.
Will adolescents be accepted for
treatment?
Our program can accommodate both adults and adolescents.
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.
How large is your facility?
At any given time we can provide accommodations to a
maximum of eight patients in residential care. Our
Partial Hospitalization
Program (PHP) can accommodate 12 patients. The
Transitional Living program can accommodate six patients.
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PATIENTS
How are weight goals determined?
Weight goals are set by achievement of at least 90% of
ideal body weight. Weight gain recommendations are
graduated based on incoming body weight and medical
safety.
What is the average length of
stay?
The typical stay for patients is an average of six to 12
weeks. We require that you begin with a two-week
commitment for Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and a 30-day commitment if
you require 24-hour care. Length of stay is determined
based on your need and is graduated according to progress.
The appropriate level of care is evaluated on a weekly
basis and adjusted accordingly.
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How does the McCallum Place
staff work with frequent purging?
The small number of patients allows lots of 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?
When appropriate, we encourage you to return to school or
work. 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?
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?
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 walks with staff, yoga, dance therapy, and a
complete fitness facility.
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.
Are caffeine, cigarettes, and
diet soda permitted?
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 ones 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.
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: CBC, electrolytes,
renal function tests, liver panel, magnesium,
phosphorus, calcium, protein, TB test, Hepatitis B
screening, pregnancy test, and urinalysis.
2. An EKO 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. A Hepatitis A shot is recommended for those
considering our transition house.
4. A completed admissions interview,
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.
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Are pets allowed?
Although pets may visit, no pets may stay in the treatment
facility.
Will insurance pay for any of
the treatments?
McCallum Place is not licensed as a Medicare or Medicaid
provider.
McCallum Place is a network provider for many types of
Blue Cross and Cinga Insurance. If you have some form of
Blue Cross or Cinga Insurance, please consult with your
insurance company to see if your treatment at McCallum
Place will be covered under your individual policy.
Patients who are covered under Blue Cross or Cigna are
not required to prepay and we will deal directly with
your insurance company for payment for all treatment
authorized by your insurance company.
For those patients who do not have Blue Cross or Cigna
insurance, some or all of the cost of treatment may
still be covered by your insurance company. Patients who
are not covered under either Blue Cross or Cigna
insurance are expected to pay that the time of
treatment. 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.
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. We can accommodate anorexia patients needing
tube feeding who are not below 65% body weight. Patients
with bulimia can use our program to shift away from a
cycle of frequent binge eating and purging, and to
actively work on changing their relationship with food.
All meals are well 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 builds 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?
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 care with you.
Will I be consulted in the goals
of treatment?
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?
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.
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