ADMISSIONS GUIDE
Treatment at Livengrin for substance abuse begins
with an initial "intake" or assessment,
so that we, together, can determine that Livengrin
is the appropriate facility for you. This can most
efficiently be accomplished with a phone call.
Our Admissions Department can take your call 24
hours a day, 7 days a week.
215-638-5200 or 800-245-4746
In your call to us, you can also learn about our
programs and services, what to bring for your stay
at the facility, and other helpful information
for both the patient and the family. (This website
also provides this information.) Then we can schedule
your admission at a convenient time.
After reading through the information on this
site and/or speaking to our Admissions Department,
use of the online admissions
form will save the patient a lot
of time upon arrival at Livengrin.
Patients will participate in diagnostic and medical
evaluations so that the most effective and appropriate
care is chosen. Patients also take part in any
subsequent treatment - nothing is done "to" a
patient, only in partnership with them.
Admission is subject to verification of insurance
and/or other financial considerations. For further
details, read the Insurance section by clicking
here.
Although not a hospital, Livengrin's
inpatient facilities at Bensalem have licensed
medical staff always available on-site. Licensing
statement
For transportation and parking info, click here
Admission to Livengrin Foundation is voluntary.
Patients are admitted to Livengrin without regard
to race, color, national origin, gender, religion,
age, marital status or sexual orientation.
What happens when you get here?
We learn about you.
A one-on-one meeting with an assessment counselor
determines the exact nature of the patient's physical
and psychological status, and the appropriate treatment
to address those issues.
Once a level of care has been determined, the
staff makes contact with the person's insurance
company to obtain authorization for admission.
If there is no insurance, a financial counselor
can discuss these matters and explore options with
the patient and family.
Treatment plans for each person may involve a
full-time residential stay at Livengrin in Bensalem,
and/or some other plan for treatment (or combination
of treatments) at one of Livengrin's five outpatient
centers throughout the region.
Livengrin makes every effort to ensure that an
individual seeking help will receive the medical
care and financial guidance that is necessary.
Although it happens infrequently, Livengrin may
not be "right" for an individual, due
to medical or other reasons. The admissions staff
then helps with contacts to a local hospital, municipal
social services, or other relevant organization
to ensure – to the best of our ability – that
the patient receives care.
What happens in the first days of residential
treatment
A new patient will have a history and physical
completed; this includes a psychiatric assessment
as warranted. If initial
admission is into the detoxification unit, the
patient will meet with an assessment counselor
to complete the biographical, psychological and
social information that will aid Livengrin in determining
the most appropriate level of care.
The patient participates in treatment planning
needs, and receives an orientation on Livengrin
program expectations and schedules.
What to bring and prepare for
When coming to Livengrin, bring your health-insurance
ID card, a second form of identification (photo
ID required), and the names and phone numbers of
your family physician and/or other healthcare professional
(other doctors that have seen you, therapist, etc.).
You should bring comfortable clothing and personal
hygiene items, including shampoo and razors (nothing
containing alcohol). Cigarettes are permitted,
along with a small amount of money for the patient
store or vending machines.
Patients may not have cell phones. There are specific
regulations regarding use of telephones for the
detox and residential rehab programs.
Not permitted: radios, walkmans or other personal
music items; food or candy; mouthwash (unless labeled
alcohol-free); perfume or cologne; cameras or audio
- visual equipment or computers / handheld systems.
Aside from the financial resource you may need
for admission to Livengrin, leave other credit
cards, large amounts of money and/or checkbook
at home.
Patients may send and receive mail at any point
during their treatment stay.
All patients are expected to do their own laundry.
Washers and dryers are available at no charge.
Livengrin's nutritional professionals and dietary
staff work diligently to ensure a healthy diet
for patients. Because many individuals are on special
diets, bringing food for patients is not allowed.
Click here for the online
admissions form. Submitting
this information before a patient arrives at Livengrin
will help save time during the intake process.
Information for family members
Livengrin understands that chemical dependency
is a disease that affects all members of a family.
We place great emphasis on helping families to
understand substance abuse and addiction, and to
clarify loved ones' roles in a patient's recovery.
Very few people can be successful in their recovery
without the help of others.
It is difficult for anyone to see a member of
the family go into a healthcare facility for a
period of time. However, you will feel a relief
that your loved one is being treated for a chemical
dependency.
Livengrin protects the confidentiality of each
patient. Federal law prohibits us from giving the
family any information concerning any patient without
specific, written permission.
Neither the receptionist nor any Livengrin staff
member will be able to "confirm or deny" the
admission of any patient, past or present. We cannot
legally respond to follow-up inquiries about a
patient ("I just dropped him off this morning,
how's he doing?"). The staff can answer such
questions only after written permission is on the
record.
A patient should make a phone call after admission
to let the family know about their situation.
We encourage you to be as involved as possible
while your loved one is in treatment. Family participation
in the recovery process benefits each person's
well-being, and increases the chances for success
in the ongoing recovery.
A range of services are offered for families,
older children, couples and "significant others" at
Livengrin, in group and private meetings. More
details are provided during the intake.
The treatment process at Livengrin will provide
education about the disease of addiction and motivation
to adapt a program of recovery that will improve
the quality of life. However, this process is very
difficult. Often, after a short stay in treatment,
patients will (for many reasons) consider leaving
the program. The family's help here is vital. If
the patient should contact you and ask to be picked
up, please contact Livengrin at 1-800-245-4746
and ask for the patient's case manager.
Visiting
Please remember that it is a patient's responsibility
to obtain pre-approval for visitors. Staff will
inspect all packages or envelopes. No food, candy
or drinks can be brought in for a patient.
There are specific visiting hours for the inpatient
program at Livengrin. In order to visit, family
members must attend our Saturday "Day of Enlightenment" that
informs and prepares loved ones for their crucial
role as part of the patient's recovery. Complete
information about visiting and our family services
will be provided during the admission process.
Transportation
Livengrin can provide transportation to its main
campus from local bus, rail and air connections,
medical or other treatment facilities, or other
appropriate locations. We are conveniently located
near I-95, US 1 and the Philadelphia exit of the
PA Turnpike.
Every Livengrin location has parking.
Click here for directions to our sites.
Accreditation
and Licensing Statement
Livengrin Foundation was founded in 1966
as one of the first private, nonprofit addiction
treatment centers in Pennsylvania. With a main
campus in Bensalem and five outpatient centers
throughout the region, the organization is a
premier resource for treatment, education, and
recovery programs that address alcohol and/or
drug dependency.
Livengrin is fully licensed by the Pennsylvania
Department of Health (Division of Drug & Alcohol
Program Licensing) and the Pennsylvania Department
of Public Welfare (Office of Mental Health), accredited
by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare
Organizations, and registered with the IRS as a
501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.
