Outpatient step-down for SUD discharges

The next-day IOP catch for SUD discharges out of your inpatient and residential.

When you're discharging an inpatient or residential SUD case and the recommendation is intensive outpatient, we are the next-day intake. Virtual ASAM 2.1 IOP, with PHP-intensity (2.5) hour expansion case-by-case under payer authorization. Same-day clinical liaison. ASAM screen completed inside the discharge window, not three weeks later. No transport, no facility transfer, no "we'll call you back." We are an outpatient program; we don't compete with your inpatient or residential beds, we're the next stop.

Send a step-down referral Schedule a 20-min call Call the discharge line
Same-day intake calls
ASAM 1.0 / 2.1 (2.5 with auth)
Co-occurring (dual-dx)
MAT continuation
Credentialing in process, single-case agreements available now
Aetna
Anthem CA
Blue Shield CA
Carelon
Cigna / Evernorth
ComPsych
Health Net
Humana BH
Kaiser NorCal
Magellan
MultiPlan / PHCS
Optum / UHC

SCAs typically turn around in 3-10 business days for any commercial or self-funded plan. Medi-Cal pending county MOU; Medicare not accepted.

How we work with case managers

Three steps from discharge call to next-day IOP intake.

Built around inpatient and residential SUD discharge timing, not 9-to-5 vendor hours.

1

Case manager calls or sends secure intake

Direct line to a clinical liaison. We accept warm hand-offs from inpatient, residential, and ED discharge teams. No call center triage. We are an outpatient program, we don't take cases that need 24-hour monitoring; we are where they go next.

2

Eligibility & ASAM intake the same day

We verify benefits and complete the ASAM Criteria 4th edition multidimensional assessment while the patient is still in your discharge window. Same-day for referrals received before 4 PM PT. Documentation back to your team within hours.

3

IOP starts the next business day

Patient joins from home, a recovery residence, or a relative's house. PHP-intensity (2.5) hour-expansion is rendered case-by-case under payer authorization, typically 3-10 days when needed. We close the loop with the referring case manager every time.

Same-day response

Discharge calls answered live in business hours, returned within two hours after-hours. We do not lose a patient to "no callback." IOP starts next business day; PHP-intensity (2.5) requires payer auth.

One liaison

A named clinical-liaison RN or LCSW for your unit or service line, not a generic intake queue.

Loop closed

You receive intake confirmation, first-session attendance, and 30-day status, written, signed, in your EHR-friendly format.

Clinical fit

Right level of care, right time, right insurance.

Post-inpatient or post-residential ASAM step-down to IOP. Inpatient psych discharge with co-occurring SUD. ED-presenting alcohol or opioid use disorder cleared for outpatient. Patients on MAT who need outpatient clinical structure. Low-risk withdrawal that fits ambulatory withdrawal management.

We do not provide residential, inpatient, or medically managed withdrawal services. If a patient needs ASAM 3.1+ or 3.7-WM / 4.0-WM, we tell you that on the intake call, and triage to a partner facility before admission.

ASAM 1.0, 2.1, 2.5 (with auth)

Outpatient (1.0), IOP (2.1), and PHP-intensity hour expansion (2.5) under payer authorization. Step-down between them when clinically indicated. Ambulatory WM available for low-risk withdrawal.

Dual-diagnosis capable

Integrated treatment for co-occurring depression, anxiety, PTSD, and bipolar.

MAT continuation

Buprenorphine and naltrexone prescribed by our Medical Director. Methadone-maintained patients continue with their OTP; we coordinate the psychosocial component.

42 CFR Part 2 compliant

Treatment records protected; release back to your team requires patient written consent.

Send a step-down referral

Case manager & discharge planner form for outpatient SUD step-down. We respond within one business hour, sooner during business hours. Do not include patient identifiers, secure intake follows by phone.

For clinical staff only. Do not enter Protected Health Information (PHI), secure intake by phone. By submitting you consent to a return business call. Privacy policy · Notice of Privacy Practices.

Shift Support Network (Vanguard Labs LLC) is licensed by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS Cert 191663AP) for ASAM Outpatient (1.0), Intensive Outpatient (2.1), and ambulatory withdrawal management, with PHP-intensity (2.5) hour expansion case-by-case under payer authorization. We do not provide residential, inpatient, or medically managed withdrawal services (ASAM 3.1, 3.5, 3.7, 4.0). When a referred patient meets criteria for those levels, we triage to a partner facility before admission. Substance use treatment records are protected under 42 CFR Part 2. We do not pay for referrals and we do not accept payment for them. Insurance status is verified prior to admission; coverage is not a guarantee of payment. Outcomes vary by individual.

DHCS Cert 191663AP HIPAA 42 CFR Part 2 LegitScript pending ASAM 4th edition