# Questions to ask about levels of care

Answer three short questions and get a list of questions to ask a program before you choose. This tool asks for facts about levels of care and coverage. It is not an assessment and it does not diagnose.

Use the tool on the [web page](https://eatingdisorder.fyi/tools/level-of-care-questions). It works without JavaScript.

## How to use it

1. Choose which level of care are you asking about?.
2. Choose who is the program for?.
3. Enter will you use health insurance?.
4. Enter is this your first time contacting a program?.
5. Read the result.

## How it works

We always include the six questions every program should answer, whatever your situation.

We add one block for each level of care you might ask about: inpatient and residential, partial hospitalization, and outpatient. When you are not sure, all three blocks appear.

We add a block for child or adolescent clients and a block for adults, and an insurance block when you tick that box.

The questions ask for facts about services, staffing, cost and emergencies. Nothing here diagnoses or recommends a treatment: that decision belongs to you and a clinician.

> This tool lists questions to ask. It is not medical advice, it does not diagnose, and it does not rank programs. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 in the US.

## Questions

### How do I know which level of care is right?

You cannot know from a checklist. A clinician assesses medical risk, symptoms and daily needs, then recommends a level. These questions help you understand how each program makes that call.

### What if the program cannot answer a question?

Ask who can answer it and when. A well-run program names the person, like the admissions nurse or the billing office.

> **Not medical advice.** This site is a directory of eating disorder treatment programs. It is not medical advice, and a listing is not an endorsement of any program. Talk to a doctor or other qualified clinician before you start, stop or change treatment. Listings can be out of date: confirm services, hours and insurance with the program before you decide. In a medical or mental health emergency call 911 in the US, or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. To report a mistake, write to hello@eatingdisorder.fyi.