ABOUT UPMC ALTOONA
UPMC Altoona is a nonprofit hospital in Altoona, Pa., about halfway between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh. Serving more than 20 counties throughout Central Pennsylvania, the licensed 380-bed hospital offers educational programming for youth with drug and alcohol abuse challenges.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Details on the hospital’s drug and alcohol program are sparse. Working in partnership with local organizations and agencies, the educational program aims to “reduce availability of alcohol to minors and decrease illicit drug use” through a combination of skills training and alternative activities. Referrals towards more intensive care options as well as outpatient treatment are also available.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
The large hospital boasts more than 300 physicians.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
There is currently no information provided by the hospital regarding the living arrangements and related offerings of its inpatient environment, however, a Best-rehabs.com surveyor gave UPMC Altoona five stars for both its quality of meals and its accommodations.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
The single alum polled by Best-rehabs.com to date shared five stars for over a dozen different categories including the staff’s level of training and experience, the counseling options available, the treatment for co-occurring problems, and the exercise and leisure offerings. Despite the hospital’s large staff, the anonymous reviewer felt that the hospital was understaffed at their time of attendance. “It was years ago, but the staff was very kind, loving, and understanding no matter who you are,” they commented.
To date, UPMC Altoona also received a hospital-wide average rating of 2.5 stars out of five from 42 Google reviewers, many of whom shared polarized experiences of the staff here. Nicolas, for example, claimed that some staff were “excellent,” but Matt shared a completely different story: “Not only are the staff and doctors all incompetent and mindless and have no idea what they’re talking about, but the prices you’ll be charged, even with insurance, are outrageous.”[1]
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
Limited feedback is available from loved ones. An anonymous reviewer told Best-rehabs.com that the drug and alcohol treatment program “Didn’t help” their family member and referred to it, rather casually, as a “Place to stay.”
FINANCING
UPMC Altoona contracts with major health insurance plans like Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, and Cigna. Medicare and state-Medicaid are also both accepted.
[1] https://goo.gl/xE4LqR