As growing need necessitates improved and expanded mental health and substance use treatment, the available options for various levels of intensity have increased over recent decades to include partial hospitalization programs (PHP) and intensive outpatient programs (IOP). What are PHP options, and how do they differ from IOP? PHP and IOP are considered bridges between inpatient care and outpatient care when individuals are struggling with more intense but not life-threatening problems.  These programs allow the individual a less restrictive environment while still receiving intensive services without the need to spend the night in the hospital. This panel session will discuss the various types of PHP and IOP as well as the basic treatment expectations an individual will receive at the different levels of care. We will also discuss how Optum Idaho reviews medical necessity for PHP authorizations.