Now accepting Aetna, Cigna, Magellan, and ComPsych insurance for some services.
For Patients
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s special about The Menninger Clinic?
Well, lots of things; two are our unparalleled treatment outcomes and our storied history of treating individuals with complex mental illness and addiction or substance use disorders since our founding in 1925.
Do you treat people with co-occurring disorders?
Yes. In fact, most of our patients have co-occurring disorders, that is, one or more psychiatric disorders that may also be coupled with an addiction or substance use issue.
What are the most common diagnoses at Menninger?
Menninger treats patients with a wide range of psychiatric disorders, but the most common diagnoses include severe anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder that may be accompanied by an addiction or substance use disorder.
These diagnoses may be treated across Menninger's continuum of care:
What’s the admissions process?
Our Care Coordination Center, which can be reached at 713-275-5400, will put you in touch with an Admissions coordinator, who will help you determine if a Menninger treatment program is appropriate for your needs. Once that is confirmed, we’ll have a detailed interview with the patient, and often their family members and/or referring clinician, to gather more details about the patient’s treatment history and current status. This information is given to the treatment team on the patient’s intended program so that they will have a basic understanding of the patient’s psychological state at admission.
An admission date will be scheduled, and when the patient arrives, an Admissions coordinator will greet him or her and complete any outstanding forms for voluntarily participating in treatment. The patient will then be escorted by Admissions to the program.
What should I expect at the time of admission?
All new patients are greeted by a receptionist and then by an Admissions coordinator. Once the paperwork is complete, patients meet with a nurse and a psychiatrist who will assess current symptoms.
Patients are then escorted to their program, where nursing staff will orient them to The Clinic, the program and the patient’s room.
Should I ask family members or friends to accompany me at admission?
We encourage all adult patients to bring a family member or friend with them when they admit to Menninger. We know this is a stressful time and having a family member or friend with you will ease the stress of admission to a psychiatric hospital.
All adolescent patients must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who should plan to stay throughout the day of admission to help complete paperwork and provide needed information to the clinical team.
Does a therapist or physician have to arrange an admission?
We do not require a referral. In fact, many patients admit themselves. All patients who admit to Menninger do so voluntarily; we do not accept involuntary admissions or commitments.
Should I make an appointment for an admission?
Although we can arrange an admission on short-term notice, we strongly recommend scheduling an appointment, which streamlines the admissions process, ensuring a better experience for the patient.
Does Menninger accept insurance?
Menninger is in network with Aetna, Cigna, Magellan and ComPsych for most adolescent services; however, much of our patient care is self-pay. Our Utilization Review professionals will gladly support individuals who are admitted, or their guarantors, to collect any out-of-network reimbursement. Please note that this collection often happens after the patient has been discharged.
The Menninger Clinic is committed to providing medically necessary care, at no cost, to individuals who qualify for financial assistance according to our Financial Assistance Policy.
Does Menninger accept credit cards?
Yes. We accept Visa MasterCard, American Express and Discover. We also accept personal checks.
Do you offer electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)?
Yes, Menninger offers electroconvulsive therapy to both inpatients and outpatients who are eligible and who elect this treatment. ECT is a safe and effective treatment that has been used to treat specific psychiatric disorders in people of all ages, from adolescents to the elderly.
Do patients have time for recreation while in treatment?
Yes. Each patient’s intensive treatment plan is customized to meet their treatment needs, but time is allotted for recreation and relaxation. Patients can use our gym and fitness center, where they can take advantage of extensive fitness equipment, a basketball court, and exercise rooms. We also have a saltwater swimming pool (open seasonally), meditation labyrinth, walking trails and a non-denominational chapel available to patients. Rehabilitation therapists also offer weekend and seasonal activities and therapeutic events.
What are patient rooms like?
Patient rooms are spacious, comfortable rooms equipped with a queen-size bed, ample storage space, a built-in desk, upholstered reading chair and private bathroom. Large windows admit abundant light.
Rooms for adult patients are private. For adolescents, we encourage socialization so their rooms are semi-private with a common wall separating the sleeping areas, and each patient has their own private bathroom.
Our virtual tour includes a photo of a patient room.
Is smoking permitted?
The Menninger Clinic strives to maintain an optimal healing environment that fosters health promotion and supports the well-being of our patients and their families, as well as our faculty and staff. Menninger is smoke-free. We help our patients who use tobacco by providing smoking cessation treatment and information to meet the individual needs of each patient.
Can Menninger help me find a therapist near my home?
If, after talking with you about your needs, an Admissions coordinator determines that a Menninger program or service is not the right fit for you, he or she will consult our national database of mental health providers and do their best to suggest one or more in your area.
Can a patient be involuntarily admitted or committed?
No, Menninger does not accept involuntary admissions. All adult patients must admit voluntarily, while adolescent patients must be admitted by a parent or guardian.
What’s the process for checking myself out of the hospital if I should choose to leave before treatment is complete?
Because our patients are admitted voluntarily, they may request discharge at any time, even if the treatment team doesn’t yet recommend it. Adult patients, or in the case of minors their parent or guardian, must request a discharge in writing. The request is reviewed within four hours by the patient’s psychiatrist, who is responsible for determining if the patient can be discharged safely or if the patient meets legal criteria for continuing hospitalization in order to keep the individual safe.
What are visiting hours?
Menninger has liberal visiting hours. Each patient receives a Menninger cell phone and can work with program staff to arrange teleconference visits with immediate family members.
What should I bring when admitting to a program?
Prior to admission, we will send you a pre-admission brochure that includes a list of items to pack, along with items that are not allowed on campus.
