What McLean Hospital is and who it serves

McLean Hospital is a private psychiatric hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, about 20 miles west of Boston. It is part of Mass General Brigham, a large health system in New England. McLean operates inpatient units for adults, adolescents, and children, along with outpatient clinics and day programs. It is not a public hospital — admission requires insurance, private payment, or financial arrangements with the hospital's financial counselors.

The hospital treats people with depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, substance use disorders, and trauma-related conditions. It also runs specialized programs for specific populations, such as adolescents in crisis, adults with treatment-resistant depression, and people with co-occurring psychiatric and medical conditions. The hospital has about 160 inpatient beds across its units.

McLean is one of the oldest private psychiatric hospitals in the United States, founded in 1818. It conducts research alongside clinical care, which means some patients may be offered participation in clinical trials or research studies. Participation is always voluntary.

Key Takeaways

  • McLean Hospital is a private psychiatric hospital in Massachusetts that treats adults, adolescents, and children with serious mental health conditions and requires insurance or private payment for admission.
  • Admission typically begins with a phone call to the admissions line or a referral from your doctor, and the hospital will assess whether your condition matches their current capacity and programs.
  • Inpatient stays are usually short-term (days to weeks) and focused on stabilization, with discharge planning that includes outpatient follow-up care in the community.
  • McLean accepts most major insurance plans but does not accept Medicaid, so uninsured or Medicaid-covered patients should ask about financial information options before admission.
  • The hospital operates outpatient clinics and day programs for people who do not need 24-hour inpatient care, which may be less expensive and allow you to remain at home.

How to contact McLean and start the admission process

To inquire about admission, call McLean's admissions line at 617-855-2000. You can also ask your primary care doctor, psychiatrist, or therapist for a referral. If you are in crisis and need when ready help, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 — the ER can arrange transfer to McLean if appropriate.

During the initial call, an admissions coordinator will ask about your psychiatric history, current symptoms, medications, insurance, and why you are seeking admission. They will tell you whether McLean has an open bed in a program that matches your needs. If no bed is available, they may place you on a waiting list or suggest other hospitals in the area.

If McLean has capacity, you will be asked to come in for an intake assessment, usually within one to three days. This assessment includes a psychiatric evaluation, medical history, and review of your insurance coverage. You will also meet with financial counselors if you have questions about cost or payment.

Insurance, payment, and financial information at McLean

McLean accepts most major commercial insurance plans, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, and United Healthcare. The hospital does not accept Medicaid, which is important to know if you rely on Medicaid coverage. If you are uninsured or underinsured, contact McLean's financial counseling department before or during admission to discuss payment plans or financial information options.

Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your insurance plan's deductible, copay, and coinsurance rates. Inpatient psychiatric care is typically more expensive than outpatient care because it includes room, meals, medications, nursing, and therapy. A typical inpatient stay of one to two weeks can cost thousands of dollars even with insurance, depending on your plan.

If you cannot pay, McLean's financial counselors can help you understand your options, which may include payment plans, reduced rates based on income, or referral to other hospitals that accept Medicaid or uninsured patients. Ask about these options during your intake call — do not wait until after admission.

What inpatient care at McLean looks like

Inpatient units at McLean are organized by age and condition. Adults are typically on separate units from adolescents and children. Each unit has nursing staff available 24 hours a day, psychiatrists who see you daily, and therapists who lead individual and group sessions.

A typical day includes medication management, individual therapy, group therapy, recreational activities, and meals. You will have a treatment plan developed during your first few days that outlines your goals and the therapies you will receive. Visiting hours are usually in the afternoon and evening, though policies vary by unit. You may have limited access to phones and outside communication, especially in the first few days.

The length of stay depends on your condition and progress. Most inpatient stays last between three and 14 days, though some people stay longer. The goal is stabilization — reducing acute symptoms so you can return home safely — rather than complete recovery, which usually happens in outpatient care after discharge.

Outpatient clinics and day programs at McLean

McLean operates outpatient clinics in Belmont and other locations in the Boston area. These clinics offer psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and individual therapy for people who do not need inpatient hospitalization. Outpatient appointments are usually weekly or every other week, depending on your needs and your psychiatrist's recommendation.

The hospital also runs day programs, sometimes called partial hospitalization programs (PHP) or intensive outpatient programs (IOP). These programs are for people who need more structure and support than weekly outpatient visits but do not need 24-hour inpatient care. Day programs typically run four to eight hours per day, several days per week, and include therapy, skills training, and medication management. You go home at night.

Day programs are often less expensive than inpatient care and allow you to stay in your own home and community while receiving intensive treatment. They are a common step between inpatient discharge and regular outpatient care.

Discharge planning and follow-up care

Before you leave McLean, the hospital will create a discharge plan that includes your medications, a list of outpatient providers to see, and recommendations for ongoing care. If you were admitted from another state or far from Boston, McLean's discharge planners can help you find a psychiatrist and therapist in your home area.

You will typically have an outpatient appointment scheduled before you leave the hospital, often within one to two weeks of discharge. This appointment may be at McLean's outpatient clinic or with a community provider. Keeping this appointment is important because the transition from inpatient to outpatient care is a high-risk time for relapse.

If you live far from Massachusetts, ask during admission whether McLean offers telehealth follow-up visits. Some patients can continue medication management or therapy by video after discharge, which reduces the need to travel back to Boston.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose which unit or program I am admitted to?

Admission is based on your age, diagnosis, and the hospital's current capacity. You cannot request a specific unit, but you can tell admissions staff about your preferences or concerns, and they will do their best to match you with an appropriate program. If McLean does not have the right program for you, they may refer you elsewhere.

What happens if I want to leave before my doctor says I am ready?

You have the right to leave the hospital at any time unless you are on an involuntary hold ordered by a court. If you want to leave against medical information, staff will ask you to sign a form acknowledging that you are leaving before your treatment plan is complete. They will also try to help you arrange outpatient follow-up care before you go.

Does McLean have programs for substance use disorders?

Yes. McLean runs inpatient and outpatient programs for people with alcohol and drug use disorders, including co-occurring psychiatric conditions. These programs include detoxification support, therapy, and medication-assisted treatment. Call admissions to ask about substance use programs specifically.

Can family members participate in therapy or treatment planning?

Yes. Most units encourage family involvement and offer family therapy sessions. You can also ask to include family members in treatment planning meetings. Policies vary by unit, so ask about this during your intake assessment.

What if I live outside Massachusetts — can I still be admitted?

Yes, McLean admits patients from other states. However, you will need to arrange transportation to Belmont for the intake assessment and admission. Before traveling, confirm with admissions that a bed is available and that your insurance will cover out-of-state care. Ask about discharge planning and follow-up options in your home state before admission.