Ask: “What exactly does this total buy, for what dates or number of days, and what could be billed separately?” Request an answer that identifies the legal billing entity, facility location, estimated start date, duration covered by the quote, deposit, remaining balance, and payment method. If the duration is not fixed, ask how daily or additional-period charges are calculated.
Build an inclusions column. Ask whether the estimate includes intake or assessment charges, lodging, meals, routine supplies, services delivered at the facility, medication-related charges when clinically appropriate, and discharge or continuing-care planning. These are questions, not claims that any particular facility provides or bundles those items. SAMHSA's quality guidance supports asking about licensing, accreditation, evidence-supported care, medications when clinically appropriate, family involvement, and continuing-care planning. Price should be compared alongside those quality questions, not instead of them.
- What is the exact total estimate, and what period does it cover?
- Which services and routine items are included in that total?
- Is any deposit required, when is the balance due, and which payment methods are accepted? If financing is mentioned, what separate terms apply? Include only options the facility or