What Sheppard Pratt is and where to find it

Sheppard Pratt Health System is a private psychiatric hospital network based in Baltimore, Maryland. The main campus is in Towson, a suburb north of Baltimore, and the system also operates satellite locations across Maryland and in surrounding states. Unlike public psychiatric hospitals run by state governments, Sheppard Pratt is a nonprofit organization that has operated since 1853.

The hospital provides inpatient psychiatric care, meaning patients stay overnight while receiving treatment for mental health conditions. It also runs outpatient clinics where people visit for appointments without staying overnight. The system treats adults, adolescents, and children with conditions including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders.

If you are looking for psychiatric hospital care in Maryland, Sheppard Pratt is one option among several. Other choices include state-run psychiatric hospitals like Springfield Hospital Center or Clifton T. Perkins Hospital Center, as well as psychiatric units within general hospitals. Your insurance, location, and the type of care you need will affect which facility is available to you.

Key Takeaways

  • Sheppard Pratt is a private nonprofit psychiatric hospital system headquartered in Towson, Maryland, with inpatient and outpatient services.
  • Admission typically requires a referral from a doctor, psychiatrist, or emergency room, and your insurance coverage will determine what you pay.
  • The hospital accepts most major insurance plans, but you should contact your insurance company before admission to confirm coverage and any out-of-pocket costs.
  • If you are in crisis, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room rather than calling Sheppard Pratt directly; the ER can arrange psychiatric admission if needed.
  • Length of stay varies widely depending on your diagnosis and treatment plan, ranging from a few days to several weeks.

How to get admitted to Sheppard Pratt

Admission to Sheppard Pratt is not something you arrange directly on your own. Instead, you need a referral from a healthcare provider — usually your primary care doctor, a psychiatrist, or a mental health counselor. If you are in crisis, the emergency room at any hospital can also initiate an admission to a psychiatric facility.

The referral process begins when your doctor contacts Sheppard Pratt's admissions department to discuss your condition and treatment needs. The hospital's clinical team then reviews whether inpatient care is appropriate for you and whether they have a bed available. This review can take hours or sometimes a day or two, depending on how urgent your situation is.

Once Sheppard Pratt agrees to admit you, the admissions staff will ask for insurance information, a list of current medications, and your medical history. You will be asked to sign consent forms and a treatment agreement. If you are admitted through the emergency room, much of this paperwork may already be started there.

Insurance and payment at Sheppard Pratt

Sheppard Pratt accepts most major insurance plans, including Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance from providers like Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare. However, coverage varies by plan and by state. Some plans may require prior authorization before admission, meaning your doctor must get written approval from your insurance company before you can be admitted.

Before you are admitted, call your insurance company to confirm three things: whether inpatient psychiatric care is covered under your plan, whether Sheppard Pratt is in your plan's network, and what your out-of-pocket costs will be (copay, deductible, or coinsurance). If Sheppard Pratt is out of network, your costs will be higher. If you do not have insurance, ask Sheppard Pratt's financial counselor about payment plans or whether you may be uninsured.

The cost of inpatient psychiatric care is substantial — typically several thousand dollars per day — but your insurance usually covers most of it if the admission is deemed medically necessary. After discharge, you may receive bills from the hospital, from individual doctors who treated you, and from the lab or imaging services used during your stay. These bills can arrive over several weeks.

What to expect during an inpatient stay

When you arrive at Sheppard Pratt for inpatient admission, you will go through an intake process that includes a physical exam, blood work, and a detailed psychiatric evaluation. You will meet with a psychiatrist, a nurse, and often a social worker or counselor. This team will develop a treatment plan specific to your needs, which may include medication, therapy, and other services.

During your stay, you will live on a hospital unit with other patients. Daily activities typically include group therapy sessions, individual therapy with a counselor or psychiatrist, medication management, and structured activities like art therapy or recreational programs. Visiting hours are usually limited, and you may have restrictions on phone use or outside contact depending on your condition and treatment plan.

The length of stay varies widely. Some people stay for three to five days, while others stay for two to four weeks or longer. Your psychiatrist and treatment team decide when you are ready to leave, based on whether your symptoms have improved enough for you to be safe at home. Before discharge, the team will give you a written treatment plan, a list of medications to take at home, and referrals to outpatient providers for follow-up care.

Sheppard Pratt's outpatient services

Sheppard Pratt also runs outpatient clinics where you can receive psychiatric care without staying overnight. Outpatient services include individual therapy, medication management, group therapy, and specialized programs for specific conditions. These clinics are located at the main Towson campus and at satellite locations throughout Maryland.

Outpatient care is often the next step after inpatient discharge. Your discharge plan will usually include a referral to an outpatient psychiatrist or therapist at Sheppard Pratt or another provider. If you are looking for ongoing mental health care and do not need hospitalization, you can also contact Sheppard Pratt's outpatient department directly to ask about scheduling an appointment, though wait times vary.

What to do if you are in psychiatric crisis

If you or someone else is in when ready danger or experiencing a severe mental health crisis, do not call Sheppard Pratt directly. Instead, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Crisis situations include thoughts of suicide or self-harm, severe hallucinations or delusions, or behavior that is dangerous to yourself or others.

When you arrive at an emergency room in crisis, the ER doctor will evaluate you and determine whether psychiatric hospitalization is needed. If it is, the ER staff will contact psychiatric hospitals in your area — which may or may not be Sheppard Pratt — to find a bed. The ER cannot may provide which hospital you will be admitted to; it depends on bed availability and your insurance.

Some areas also have mobile crisis teams that can come to your home or another location to assess a mental health crisis and help arrange care. In Maryland, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 to speak with a counselor who can help you find when ready resources in your area.

Contacting Sheppard Pratt

The main Sheppard Pratt campus is located at 6501 North Charles Street in Towson, Maryland 21204. The main phone number is (410) 938-3000. If you are calling to ask about admission or to speak with someone about psychiatric care, you will be directed to the appropriate department.

Sheppard Pratt's website includes information about its programs, locations, and how to request an appointment for outpatient care. However, if you need urgent psychiatric care, phone or in-person contact is faster than email or online forms. If you are not sure whether you need inpatient or outpatient care, you can call and describe your situation to an admissions counselor, who can help guide you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose to go to Sheppard Pratt if I am admitted through the emergency room?

Not always. The emergency room will try to place you at a hospital that is in your insurance network and has an available bed. If Sheppard Pratt is your preference and is in-network, tell the ER staff, and they can try to arrange it. However, if Sheppard Pratt has no beds available, you may be admitted elsewhere.

What happens if I leave the hospital before my doctor says I am ready?

You have the right to leave a psychiatric hospital, but if you leave against medical information, you may be charged for the full cost of your stay and your insurance may not cover it. Before you leave, talk to your treatment team about your concerns. If you still want to leave, ask for a discharge summary and referrals to outpatient care.

Does Sheppard Pratt treat substance use disorders?

Yes, Sheppard Pratt offers inpatient and outpatient treatment for substance use disorders, including alcohol and drug addiction. Treatment typically combines medication, therapy, and support groups. If you are looking for substance use treatment, mention this when you contact admissions or your referral doctor.

How do I find a therapist or psychiatrist at Sheppard Pratt after I am discharged?

Your discharge plan will include referrals to outpatient providers. If you want to continue care at Sheppard Pratt, ask your treatment team before you leave. You can also call Sheppard Pratt's outpatient department directly to ask about scheduling an appointment with a psychiatrist or therapist.

What if I cannot afford to pay for care at Sheppard Pratt?

Sheppard Pratt has financial counselors who can discuss payment options, payment plans, and whether you may be uninsured or underinsured. Ask to speak with a financial counselor during admission or call the main number and ask to be connected to the financial information department.