Pennsylvania Statutes Title 40 P.S. Insurance § 908-1. Definitions

As used in this article the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this section:

“Alcohol or drug abuse.”Any use of alcohol or other drugs which produces a pattern of pathological use causing impairment in social or occupational functioning or which produces physiological dependency evidenced by physical tolerance or withdrawal. For the purposes of this act, “drugs” shall be defined as addictive drugs and drugs of abuse listed as scheduled drugs in the act of April 14, 1972 (P.L. 233, No. 64), known as “The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act.”  1

“Detoxification.” The process whereby an alcohol-intoxicated or drug-intoxicated or alcohol-dependent or drug-dependent person is assisted, in a facility licensed by the Department of Health, through the period of time necessary to eliminate, by metabolic or other means, the intoxicating alcohol or other drugs, alcohol and other drug dependency factors or alcohol in combination with drugs as determined by a licensed physician, while keeping the physiological risk to the patient at a minimum.

“Hospital.” A facility licensed as a hospital by the Department of Health, the Department of Public Welfare,  2 or operated by the Commonwealth and conducting an alcoholism or drug addiction treatment program licensed by the Department of Health.

“Inpatient care.”The provision of medical, nursing, counseling or therapeutic services twenty-four hours a day in a hospital or non-hospital facility, according to individualized treatment plans.

“Non-hospital facility.”A facility, licensed by the Department of Health, for the care or treatment of alcohol-dependent or other drug-dependent persons, except for transitional living facilities.

“Non-hospital residential care.”The provision of medical, nursing, counseling or therapeutic services to patients suffering from alcohol or other drug abuse or dependency in a residential environment, according to individualized treatment plans.

“Outpatient care.”The provision of medical, nursing, counseling or therapeutic services in a hospital or non-hospital facility on a regular and predetermined schedule, according to individualized treatment plans.

“Partial hospitalization.”The provision of medical, nursing, counseling or therapeutic services on a planned and regularly scheduled basis in a hospital or non-hospital facility licensed as an alcoholism or drug addiction treatment program by the Department of Health, designed for a patient or client who would benefit from more intensive services than are offered in outpatient treatment but who does not require inpatient care.