Q: Will insurance cover my family members stay at CooperRiis?

A: Almost never since CooperRiis does not meet the insurance definition of a hospital.  However, insurance should cover the costs of the psychiatrist and medications.

Q: Do you accept Medicaid and Medicare?

A: Medicaid and Medicare usually only covers psychiatrist fees and medication costs.  In some cases we are also able to bill for psychotherapy and for addictions counseling.

Q: How long is your waiting list?

A: Most often the applicant is able to move right in after his or her exploratory visit.  Sometimes a wait of a week or so may occur.

Q: What happens after my family member leaves CooperRiis?

A: About 50% of our residents will use our graduate programs. When someone returns to their home area we help them with a realistic plan and we also attempt to make sure they have scheduled appointments with a psychiatrist and a therapist.

Q: Is there a cure for mental illness?

A: We believe that it is possible to overcome the hopelessness of mental illness and learn to manage the illness in productive, life affirming ways; we see this happening everyday at CooperRiis.  We do not speak in terms of cure.

Q: How long is the average stay?

A: About seven months, some shorter and others longer.  Stays in the graduate program are individualized and are most often longer than their stay at the main campus.  Generally, even the most ambitious resident needs at least three months at CooperRiis. Others may need much longer; our maximum stay at the main campus is three years.

Q: What is the monthly program fee?

A: $9,000 per month in the main program; less in the various levels of the Graduate Programs.

Q: Are scholarships available?

A: Yes, as of the third month, we offer to reduce our rates to whatever is necessary, based on the financial ability of his or her parents and/or spouse. The resident may receive up to a six-month scholarship at CooperRiis and then an additional six months in each of the first two levels of the graduate program.  This means that up to 18 months of scholarship are available after the first two months have been paid for at the standard monthly fee.

Q: My family member has substance abuse issues because of his/her mental illness, can you help him/her?

A: Yes, while we are not a "dual diagnosis" facility, as such, we have a full time addictions counselor who offers individual and group work.

Q: What diagnosis do you accept?

A: Almost any diagnosis of mental illness.  We accept people based on their motivation to be at CooperRiis and their desire to achieve recovery.

Q: Where is Mill Spring, NC?

A: About 45 minutes southeast of Asheville and 45 minutes northeast of Greenville, SC.

Q: Who can qualify to attend CooperRiis?

A: Almost anyone.  However, we are not for individuals who are currently at risk of self-harm or harm to others or individuals who are in the midst of addiction to substance abuse.

Q: What is the Family Role?

A: It depends upon the family.  We advocate openness with and inclusion of the family in the recovery process.  If necessary releases are provided by the resident or guardian, at least once every two weeks staff will contact families by email or phone to give an update on progress being made.  Twice yearly we have Family Education Weekends; all families of current residents and graduates are encouraged to attend.  Our therapists will also provide full family therapy, when this can be helpful.

Q: What does the monthly fee cover?

A: Everything except, physician and psychiatrist fees, medications, supplements, addictions counselor, and spending money for personal items.

Q: Are medications included in the fee?

A: No, medications are arranged through a local pharmacy and each family is obligated to ensure that their cost is covered.  Often the costs are covered by insurance.

Q: Is my family members stay confidential?

A: Yes, however, if a full release is provided and instructions given, we will do our best to meet the request and communicate with authorized persons.

Q: How large is your program?

A: We have up to 36 residents on the main CooperRiis campus and currently 42 graduates in our ever-expanding Graduate Programs.

Q: Do you offer respite care?

A: Yes, six rooms are kept available for residents who may want to return for a few days of respite.